Neither vulnerable. East deals.

Neither vulnerable. East deals.

NORTH

xA 7 5

u10 5

vK Q 2

wA Q J 9 6

WEST EAST

xQ 10 8 3 2 xJ 9

u8 7 4 2 uK J 9 6 3

v9 vA 10 8 6

w7 5 3 wK 2

SOUTH

xK 6 4

uA Q

vJ 7 5 4 3

w10 8 4

The bidding:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1u Pass 2u Dbl

Pass 3NT Pass Pass

Pass

Opening lead: Eight of u

If you would like to test your declarer play, cover the East and West hands and decide how you would play three no trump after the lead of the eight of hearts.

North had an awkward choice on the first round of the auction. He could either bid two no trump without a stopper in the enemy suit or make a takeout double with only three cards in the unbid major. The latter was certainly the better option since his hand was strong enough to compensate for the flaw. South’s three no trump ended the bidding.

West led the eight of hearts — the top of four low cards in a suit he had supported. East covered the ten with the king, losing to declarer’s ace.

If diamonds broke 3-2, nine tricks would present no problem, so declarer led a diamond to the king. East won with the ace and removed declarer’s remaining heart stopper and, when the diamonds broke badly, declarer had to concede defeat.

South should have combined his chances in the minor suits. At trick two he should have crossed to the ace of spades and led a low diamond toward his hand. East cannot afford to rise with ace, so South wins the trick with the knave. Now he abandons diamonds and goes after clubs. East can win and knock out the remaining heart stopper, but declarer gets home with four club tricks, two in each major and one diamond.

2009 Tribune Media Services