BRIDGE

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

x9 8 5 2

u4

vA Q J 8 5 2

wA 4

WEST EAST

xA J xQ 7 6 3

u10 7 5 3 uK Q 8 2

v10 7 4 3 v6

wQ 8 2 wK 9 5 3

SOUTH

xK 10 4

uA J 9 6

vK 9

wJ 10 7 6

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1w Pass 1v Pass

1u Pass 1x Pass

1NT Pass 3NT Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Three of u

Where you can find ways to give yourself an extra chance never ceases to amaze us. More often than not, they do not involve complexities. On this deal from a World Team Championship between France and the United States, it took no more than one of the most elementary of all plays.

The bidding and opening lead was the same at both tables. Note that North’s one-spade rebid was not forcing — fourth-suit forcing does not apply at the one-level. The French declarer won East’s queen with the ace and ran all the diamonds. With eight tricks easy, declarer led a spade to the king, losing to the ace, and ended up down one.

South for the U.S. was Tom Sanders of Nashville, Tenn. Realizing that East could not hurt him with any lead, Sanders allowed East’s queen of hearts to win the first trick! The defender saw nothing more attractive than a heart continuation. Declarer finessed the jack and nine tricks were there for the taking when that held.

The gain on this deal was just enough for the United States to win the match. The margin of victory was 1 International Match Point!

2009 Tribune Media Services