Goren on bridge

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

x9 6 3

uA Q 10 6

vA 10 4

wK 9 4

WEST EAST

xQ 10 8 7 4 xK J 5

u8 5 2 uK 7 4

vQ 7 v8 5 2

wQ 8 5 wJ 10 7 3

SOUTH

xA 2

uJ 9 3

vK J 9 6 3

wA 6 2

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v Pass 1u Pass

1NT Pass 3NT Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Seven of x

Before committing yourself to a line, check to see if there is a way to give yourself two bites at the cherry. Here’s a classic example.

The bidding was simple. South’s one-no-trump rebid showed a balanced, minimum opening bid and North, holding the equivalent of a balanced opening bid, had an easy raise to game.

West led his fourth-best spade. Declarer allowed East’s king to win the first trick and won the continuation of the jack with the ace.

A winning finesse in either red suit would produce nine tricks. While South holds eight diamonds and only seven hearts, odds of bringing in either suit with repeat finesses are exactly the same — 50 percent. However, there is an additional chance that can be tested at no cost.

The chance of dropping the queen of diamonds is almost as good as a finesse. Declarer should first test diamonds by cashing the ace and king. If her majesty drops, declarer has nine tricks without a finesse. If not, declarer switches horses and tries the heart finesse. Combining your chances lands the contract without having to resort to a finesse.

2009 Tribune Media Services