BRIDGE

Both vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

xK 8 5

uK 9 3

vK 10 3

wA 9 8 7

WEST EAST

xA x9 7 6

u4 uA Q 10 8 7 5

vA Q J 8 7 2 v9 6 5

w10 6 5 4 3 wQ

SOUTH

xQ J 10 4 3 2

uJ 6 2

v4

wK J 2

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1w 2u Dbl 3v

Pass 3u 3x Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Four of u

Defense is the most difficult aspect of bridge — you only see half your side’s assets. However, you can convey much by the way you play your cards. Consider this deal from a team match at the ACBL Spring National Championships in Houston.

In North-South’s methods, a two-spade overcall of two hearts would have been a game force, hence South’s negative double followed by three spades on the next round was invitational. With his hand already weakened by East’s heart bid, North had an easy pass.

West led his singleton heart, declarer played low from dummy and East’s queen won. On the ace of hearts West discarded the eight of diamonds, and East paused to consider his options.

Why had West signaled in diamonds if he could ruff a heart? On the auction he could only have one trump and, since he did not want to spend it with a ruff, it had to be the ace. The defense was now easy.

East shifted to the queen of clubs. Declarer won with the king and led a trump. West won with ace, gave East a club ruff, won the diamond return and gave partner another club ruff — down two!

SCrt 2009 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES