East-West vulnerable. West deals.


October 9, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

East-West vulnerable. West deals.

NORTH

x8 4 3

uJ 9 8

v7 4 3

wJ 8 4 3

WEST EAST

x7 6 x10 5

u7 6 5 4 3 2 uA K

vK Q 6 vA 10 9 8 5 2

w9 6 wK 7 5

SOUTH

xA K Q J 9 2

uQ 10

vJ

wA Q 10 2

The bidding:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

Pass Pass 1v 4x

Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: King of v

Here’s another deal from Eddie Kantar’s excellent series “Thinking Bridge,” designed for players who are anxious to improve their game.

“Facing a passed-hand partner, South does best to overcall four spades. All North needs is the king of clubs — even the jack may be enough! As a general rule, if you need a specific jack, queen or king in partner’s hand to make or have good play for your contract, bid it! Partner isn’t going to know in a million years that he has the one perfect card you need.

“East signals encouragement, and West continues with the queen of diamonds, which South ruffs.

“As South, when forced to ruff with a powerful trump holding, keep your lower trumps for entry purposes. On this deal, if you ruff your second diamond low (ugh!), you can no longer get to dummy to take the club finesse even if spades break 2-2 or the ten is singleton. However, if you ruff with the nine of spades (yes!) and then play the ace and king, you can enter dummy with the eight of spades to take the club finesse. Also be sure to lead the club jack so you can stay in dummy if East doesn’t cover. Playing properly, you wind up with 10 tricks: six spades and four clubs.

“Treat your low card(s) that are attached to long, powerful suits with respect. They may well be the most valuable cards in your hand!”

For more information on “Thinking Bridge” and other Kantar writings, go to www.kantarbridge.com.

SCrt2009 Tribune Media Services