BRIDGE

Neither vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

x9 6 5 3 2

uK Q 6

vK 8

wQ 7 2

WESTEAST

x10 8xK

uA J 7 5 2u10 9 8 3

vA J 9 7 4 3vQ 6 5 2

wVoidwA 9 8 5

SOUTH

xA Q J 7 4

u4

v10

wK J 10 6 4 3

The bidding:

NORTHEASTSOUTHWEST

PassPass1x2x

2NT3x4x5v

DblPass5xPass

PassPass

Opening lead: Eight of x

The early boards of the Bermuda Bowl match between USA 1 and USA 2 had been disastrous for USA 1. This board produced the last big swing of the session.

For USA 2, Jeff Meckstroth led the eight of spades to the king and ace. Declarer drew the remaining trump before leading the 10 of diamonds. Meckstroth rose with the ace, cashed the ace of hearts and declarer had to lose a club — down one.

This was the auction at the other table, resulting in North declaring:

NORTHEASTSOUTHWEST

PassPass1w1u

1x3wPass4u

PassPass4x5u

DblPass5xDbl

PassPassPass

Opening lead: Ten of u

West won the first trick with the ace of hearts and, unaware that his partner held the ace of clubs, thought that he needed a club ruff to set the contract. He elected to play his partner for the king of diamonds and underled the ace. Declarer was pleasantly surprised when his king won. He still had to lose a club trick, but that was five spades doubled and made — 12 more imps to USA 2 and a 56-18 lead at the end of the first session.

SCrt 2009 Tribune Media Services