Both vulnerable. East deals.

Both vulnerable. East deals.

NORTH

xJ 5 4

uK 9 7 4 2

v7 6 4 2

wA

WEST EAST

xA Q 9 8 3 2 x10

uQ J u8 3

v5 vK 10 3

wQ J 7 2 wK 10 9 8 5 4 3

SOUTH

xK 7 6

uA 10 6 5

vA Q J 9 8

w6

The bidding:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

3w 3v 3x 4w

Pass 4u Pass Pass

Pass

Opening lead: Queen of w

The importance of an overtrick at duplicate pairs cannot be stressed too highly. Sometimes, it can be achieved by skill; often, it is fortuitous. On this deal, first-round actions by East and South determined the outcome.

We do not favor a first-round pre-empt by East at this vulnerability, and we would prefer a takeout double by South to the three-diamond overcall — the hand is suitable for playing in any one of the unbid suits — even on a 4-3 spade fit. Rather than overcall in hearts, North cue-bid clubs and South became declarer at four hearts.

West led a club, taken by the ace. Trumps were drawn in two rounds, ending in dummy, and declarer took a winning diamond finesse. A trump to the table enabled declarer to repeat the finesse, and declarer cashed out the diamonds, discarding a spade from the table. Declarer then conceded two spade tricks to end up with an overtrick.

Where East passed, North became declarer at four hearts. East led his singleton spade and the defenders took two spades and a ruff to hold declarer to his contract. Since North-South had little to do with this result, we cannot help feeling that East was justifiably punished for his pre-empt.

2009 Tribune Media Services