Neither vulnerable. South deals.

Neither vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xK 10 8 7

u2

vQ J 7

wA K Q J 9

WEST EAST

xA 3 2 x5 4

uK J 10 8 7 uQ 9 6 5

vA 4 3 2 vK 9 5

w2 w8 7 4 3

SOUTH

xQ J 9 6

uA 4 3

v10 8 6

w10 6 5

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

Pass 1u Dbl 2u

2x 3u 4x Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Two of w

Here’s another deal from Eddie Kantar’s award-winning series “Thinking Bridge,” for players desirous of improving their game, and published in the Daily Bulletins at the recent Fall North American Championships.

“South is strong enough to compete to two spades and West is strong enough to compete to three hearts. However, West’s failure to make a game try over two spades [bidding anything other than three hearts] tells East to shut up! North has enough to bid game once South makes a peep at the two-level.

“As West, a singleton lead stands out like a beacon when holding the trump ace. The idea is to find an entry to partner’s hand after you get in with the trump ace.

“As East, if you recognize the lead as a singleton, give partner suit preference at trick one! A low club suggests diamond strength [typically the ace or king], a high club suggests heart strength [ace or king].

“As South, draw trumps as soon as possible. There is no need to ruff hearts. The idea is to set up the dummy, the hand with the solid suit. If you do, you won’t have to worry about your heart losers. Just pretend North is the declarer.

“As West, when in with the ace of spades, try the ace of diamonds. If partner signals encouragement, continue with a diamond to the king and ruff the club return. If partner discourages in diamonds, shift to a heart, hoping partner has the ace. You have to find partner with one of those cards so, rather than guess, give yourself two chances by starting with the ace of diamonds.”

2009 Tribune Media Services