Both vulnerable. North deals.

Both vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

xQ 4

uK Q 9 7

vQ J 7 4

wA J 5

WEST EAST

x7 6 5 3 xA K 10 9

u10 6 4 3 uJ 8 5

v10 6 2 v9 8 5 3

w8 6 w10 4

SOUTH

xJ 8 2

uA 2

vA K

wK Q 9 7 3 2

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1NT Pass 4w Pass

4u Pass 6NT Pass

Pass Dbl 7w Pass

Pass Dbl Pass Pass

Pass

Opening lead: ?

Some people cannot stand good luck. Consider this deal from the Kaplan Blue Ribbon Pairs at the recent ACBL Fall North American Championships in Boston.

North was minimum for his no-trump opening and South, with 17 high-card points and a six-card suit, envisaged slam. Four clubs was Gerber, asking for aces, North showed one and South bid six no trump.

One would think that East would be happy with being on lead against six no trump holding the ace-king of spades, but that was not the case. Not satisfied with going plus 100, he doubled!

It was not difficult for South to realize that the only holding to justify the double was the ace-king of spades with East. He ran to seven clubs and now West was on lead. East’s second double was more pique than anything else.

What would you lead against seven clubs from the West hand? Chances of your picking the right suit are 2-to-1 against you. I know most of our readers would lead a spade — of course, seeing all four hands would not have influenced their decision! At the table, West led a heart, and declarer wrapped up 13 tricks quickly — six trumps, four diamonds and three hearts. An expensive lesson to learn that avarice does not always pay.

2009 Tribune Media Services