Both vulnerable. South deals.

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

x10 9 6

uQ 9 3

vA 4 2

wK 6 3 2

WEST EAST

xQ J 4 2 xK 7 3

uK 8 6 4 uA 10 7

vQ 10 3 v9 8 7 5

w7 5 w10 9 4

SOUTH

xA 8 5

uJ 5 2

vK J 6

wA Q J 8

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT Pass 2NT Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Two of x

Learning some basic techniques in the play of the cards is not all that difficult. Realizing when not to apply them is more taxing.

North’s raise to two no trump is invitational. With a flat hand void of intermediate cards, South’s decision to pass was exemplary.

West led the two of spades, to his partner’s king. Declarer held up the ace, and ducked again when East continued with a spade. West won and cleared the suit.

With seven fast tricks, the only place to try for an eighth was in diamonds. Declarer cashed four rounds of clubs, ending dummy, and tried a diamond to the jack. When that lost, the defenders had six tricks — down one.

With the opening lead marking West for four spades, South’s holding up of the ace had as much to gain as the burglar who broke into an abandoned warehouse. What makes it even worse is that the contract could not be defeated.

Correct technique is to allow East to win the first trick, rise with the ace on the spade return and cash three rounds of clubs, leaving the king in dummy. Now exit with a spade. West can cash his spade winner, and South discards a heart from dummy and a club from hand. Whichever red suit West now broaches sets up the fulfilling trick in that suit. Try it.

2008 Tribune Media Services