East-West vulnerable. South deals.

January 28, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

NORTH

xK J 4 2

uQ 7 4 3

wJ 10 6 3

WEST EAST

x10 6 5 3 xA Q 8 7

uK 5 uA J 10 9 2

v9 6 4 v3

w9 8 7 2 wK 5 4

SOUTH

u8 6

vA K Q J 10 8 7 2

wA Q

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1w Pass 1v Pass

3NT Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Three of x

Here’s another deal from the ACBL Fall North American Championships, held in Boston. Study the bidding and play and decide: Did someone err? If so, who and why?

North-South were playing a forcing club system, so the opening bid showed a hand of 16 points or better. At unfavorable vulnerability, East elected not to act over North’s negative response and South’s leap to three no trump closed the auction.

West led the three of spades, declarer called for dummy’s king and East’s ace won. With 21 points in sight, East realized that South’s jump to three no trump had to be based on a long, solid minor. Reluctant to give declarer a trick he might not be able to make on his own, East elected to tuck declarer in hand with a diamond. That was not a great success — declarer took eight diamond tricks and the ace of clubs to wrap up the contract.

What’s your verdict?

East must get a charge! He needs to get West on lead, and that can be accomplished if West holds either the king of hearts or ace of clubs. If West holds the ace of clubs, it means declarer has bid with only 15 points and one ace, and hence no sure entry to hand. So give declarer the ace of clubs and partner the king of hearts, and shift to a low heart!

East wins and a heart return means a one-trick defeat, while the ten of spades defeats the contract two tricks.

2009 Tribune Media Services