BRIDGE

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

x7 4 2

uJ 9 7 6 4 3

vA J 7 5

wVoid

WEST EAST

xQ 10 9 xK J 5 3

u8 u2

v4 vQ 10 9 8 3

wA Q J 10 9 8 5 2 wK 6 4

SOUTH

xA 8 6

uA K Q 10 5

vK 6 2

w7 3

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u 4w 4u 5w

Dbl Pass 5u Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Ace of w

Theoretically, South chose a line that had an almost 70 percent chance of success. Practically, the odds were closer to zero.

With such a wildly distributional hand, including six-card support for partner’s suit, North had no intention of sitting for a double of five clubs. That resulted in a final contract of five hearts.

West led the ace of clubs. Since it was likely that there were two spade losers, it might seem that the best chance for the contract was to develop an extra diamond trick. Declarer ruffed the opening lead in dummy, cashed the ace of trumps to draw both outstanding cards in the suit and then tried the diamond finesse. East captured the jack with the queen and shifted to a spade. Declarer won in hand and took the last shot for the contract — a 3-3 diamond break. That proved futile, and declarer quietly went down one.

A more realistic assessment of the distribution would have landed the contract. After ruffing the opening lead, declarer should draw trumps and ruff the remaining club. Since declarer can afford to lose two spades, he now cashes the king of diamonds and plays ace and another spade. If East wins the third spade, he is endplayed. If West wins, he must concede a ruff-sluff and declarer gets rid of the losing diamond to collect 11 tricks.

2009 Tribune Media Services