North-South vulnerable. North deals.

North-South vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

x8 6 5

uQ 6 5

vK Q 9 4

wA K 7

WEST EAST

xK 3 xQ 9 7 2

uK 10 uJ 8 3

v10 8 7 vA J 6 5

wJ 10 9 5 4 3 w8 2

SOUTH

xA J 10 4

uA 9 7 4 2

v3 2

wQ 6

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1v Pass 1u Pass

1NT Pass 2NT Pass

3u Pass 4u Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Jack of w

There are times when you can nudge declarer into choosing a losing line. Consider this deal.

North-South were a little ambitious in driving to game. However, the contract had a fair play. West led the jack of clubs, declarer won in hand and led a diamond to the queen and ace. East reverted to a club, taken in dummy, and a spade to the jack lost to the king. West persevered with a club, East ruffed and declarer overruffed. The ace of hearts was cashed and another heart was taken by the king. All that was left for declarer to do was to repeat the spade finesse and, when that succeeded, he could claim his contract.

It is not easy to see how West could do any better. Suppose, however, that West did not play a third club but, instead, led a diamond. Declarer would win in dummy and repeat the spade finesse. When that wins, it seems normal to play the ace of hearts and another. Now West wins and reverts to clubs, and East can ruff with the jack to score the setting trick.

2009 Tribune Media Services