BRIDGE

Neither vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

xA K 3

uA 5 2

vK J 10 4

w8 3 2

WEST EAST

x9 2 x7 6 5

uJ 9 8 6 4 uQ 10 7

v? 8 7 6 3 v?

w9 wA K Q 10 7 6

SOUTH

xQ J 10 8 4

uK 3

vA 5 2

wJ 5 4

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1v 2w 2x Pass

4x Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Nine of w

You have arrived at a very good four-spade contract. Will your play live up to your bidding?

Like-sounding auctions can have very different meanings, depending on your methods. Suppose that South’s two spades was invitational, as here, not forcing. North’s jump to four spades then shows extra values, since he cannot afford to have South pass three spades. However, if two spades was forcing to game, four spades is the Principle of Fast Arrival, showing a minimum opening and no slam interest.

Against four spades the defenders started by taking three clubs, after which East shifted to a heart. Obviously, the fate of the contract hinges on your locating the queen of diamonds. Is it going to be a guess which defender holds her majesty?

Probably not. You already know that East started with six clubs, so West likely started with diamond length, but you might be able to find out for sure. Win the king of hearts, cash the king and ace of spades and ace of hearts and ruff a heart and then draw the last trump, on which West discards a heart. What do you know about the defenders’ hands now?

East started with six clubs, three spades and at least three hearts, so no more than one diamond. The contract, therefore, is safe. Continue by cashing the ace of diamonds and, if the queen does not drop, take the marked finesse through West. Well played.

2009 Tribune Media Services