Both vulnerable. West deals.

June 16, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

NORTH

uQ 10 7 6 4

vQ J 2

wK 6 4 2

WEST EAST

xK 7 6 2 xJ 3

uJ 9 3 uA K 8 5

vA 10 8 7 v9 6 4

wJ 3 wA Q 10 5

SOUTH

xA Q 10 8 5 4

vK 5 3

w9 8 7

The bidding:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

Pass Pass 1v 2x

Dbl Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Three of u

We continue with deals from the recent ACBL Spring North American Championships, held in Houston. Sitting East-West on this deal were Mark Teaford, Seal Beach, Calif., and Steve Johnson, San Diego, Calif.

East-West were playing a forcing club system, so the one diamond bid showed a minimum opening and denied possession of a five-card major. South’s weak jump in spades proved to be a popular contract, usually beaten one or two tricks doubled.

West led the three of hearts, taken by the king. It was obvious that West had to have a high card in diamonds, so East saw no reason for a busy defense and continued with the ace of hearts, ruffed by declarer, who led a low diamond. West hopped up with the ace and shifted to the jack of clubs.

The defenders took three club tricks, West ditching the jack of hearts on the third. Another heart was ruffed by South as West parted with a diamond. Declarer led a low trump, losing to East’s jack and a heart was returned. Declarer ruffed with the ten and West again refused to overruff, discarding another diamond.

Declarer cashed the ace of trumps and king of diamonds, and continued with a diamond. West ruffed and took his king of spades, down three and a top for East-West.

2009 Tribune Media Services