East-West vulnerable. North deals.

East-West vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

xA 10 6

uK 9 7

vA 9 6

wQ 9 8 3

WEST EAST

xK 8 3 xVoid

u10 2 uA Q J 8 6 4

vJ 4 3 2 vQ 10 7

wJ 7 5 4 wK 10 6 2

SOUTH

xQ J 9 7 5 4 2

u5 3

vK 8 5

wA

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1w 1u 1x Pass

1NT 2u 4x Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Ten of u

We continue with a hand from Eddie Kantar’s “Thinking Bridge” series from the Daily Bulletins at the recent ACBL Fall North American Championships, held in Boston.

“As South, your hand improves once you know partner has at least two spades.

“When leading partner’s suit through a no-trump bidder, it is normal you lead the 10 from 10 x x, the jack from J x x and the queen from Q x x. Not the case this time, but the possibility exists.

“As East, if dummy plays low, signal encouragement with the eight of hearts and, when partner leads a second heart, cover dummy’s card and play a third heart, putting partner in a position to overruff declarer.

“As South, there is a reasonable chance that West has the king of spades and will overruff even if you ruff high. If this happens, you are stuck with a diamond loser. Discard a diamond instead. It’s a sure loser anyway. Now you can win any return and take the spade finesse. With 10 spades between then two hands, the percentage play (by far) is to take the finesse. It is wrong to play East for the singleton king unless the bidding absolutely tells you he must have that card or it has fallen on the floor face up!

“As declarer, when there is a clear danger of being overruffed (third heart), consider discarding a loser instead, particularly if the suit cannot be continued effectively.”

2009 Tribune Media Services