BRIDGE

February 4, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xJ 3

vQ 7 6 2

wA K Q 7 5 2

WESTEAST

x8 4xQ 10 9 7

uQ J 10 4uK 7 6 5 3 2

vA 8 3vJ 10 9

wJ 9 6 3wVoid

SOUTH

xA K 6 5 2

uA 9

vK 5 4

w10 8 4

The bidding:

SOUTHWESTNORTHEAST

1xPass2wPass

2NTPass3NTPass

PassPass

Opening lead: Queen of u

Beware of the shoals of distribution. Even seemingly impregnable contracts can be put at risk by a terrible break.

As declarer, before playing to the first trick see if there is any distribution that will place your contract in danger, and check to see if it can be countered.

After North’s two-over-one response, South’s two no trump was game-forcing, offering a choice of contracts.

North proceeded to the no-trump game, expecting his club suit to run since South had at least two clubs.

West led the queen of hearts, and it looked as if everything would be smooth sailing.

Declarer took the ace of hearts and led the four of clubs to the six and ace, and the roof fell in when East discarded a heart.

Declarer returned to hand with the king of spades and led the ten of clubs.

West covered, but after dummy won with a high club, the eight blocked the suit and declarer could not afford to surrender a trick because the defenders would be able to cash enough red-suit winners to handily beat the game.

Declarer was careless. As long as clubs were no worse than 3-1, there were nine tricks for the taking. But what if the clubs split 4-0?

Nothing could be done if East held all the missing clubs, but if West did then that split could be neutralized.

At trick two declarer should lead the ten of clubs to the queen.

When East shows out, declarer comes to hand with the king of spades and leads the eight of clubs. West covers with the nine.

Declarer wins with the king, returns to hand with the ace of spades and plays his remaining club, finessing the seven when West plays low, to pick up the suit and run nine tricks.

2010 Tribune Media Services