Neither vulnerable. East deals.


January 5, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

Neither vulnerable. East deals.

NORTH

x10 9

uA K J 10 9

vQ 6

wQ 8 7 2

WEST EAST

x5 4 xA 6 3

u3 2 u8 7 4

vA 10 9 3 vK J 8 2

wJ 6 5 4 3 wK 10 9

SOUTH

xK Q J 8 7 2

uQ 6 5

v7 5 4

wA

The bidding:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1w 1x Pass 2u

Pass 3x Pass 4x

Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Four of w

With each defender being able to see only half his side’s assets, it is imperative that they exchange as much information as possible. Consider this deal.

East’s one-club opening was, by agreement, either natural or a balanced 11-13 points. South’s jump to three spades at his second turn was based on a hoped for double fit and led to a doubtful game.

West led the fourth-best four of clubs, declarer cleverly called for dummy’s queen, East covered with the king and declarer’s ace won. The jack of spades was ducked all around and a spade went to the ten and East’s ace.

Since the defenders needed three minor-suit tricks in a hurry, it might seem that East should have shifted to a diamond. (Our choice would be the king.) However, fooled by declarer’s play of dummy’s queen at trick one, East first tried to cash a club. Declarer ruffed and claimed 11 tricks.

West could have helped his partner by raising to two clubs after South’s overcall. Since partner’s clubs might be no more than a two-card fragment, West is unlikely to have raised on four ratty clubs and a weak hand. Give him five clubs and the diamond shift would have been obvious.

2009 Tribune Media Services