Neither vulnerable. North deals.

February 16, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

NORTH

xK 8 6 2

uJ 5

vK 9 7 4

w4 3 2

WEST EAST

x10 7 xJ 4

uQ 8 3 2 uA K 10 9 7

vQ 3 2 v10 8 5

wQ 10 9 6 wA J 5

SOUTH

xA Q 9 5 3

u6 4

vA J 6

wK 8 7

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

Pass 1u 1x 3u

3x Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Two of u

It is seldom that a session of bridge is played that does not include at least one lesson hand. This deal is from the recent ACBL Fall North American Championships held in San Diego, Calif. It is from the finals of the Bobby Nail Master Pairs.

The auction is typical of the tournament game. After the opening bid and overcall, West made a weak jump raise of his partner’s suit, North competed and South became declarer at three spades.

The defenders quickly banked their two heart tricks. East continued with the ace and another club, won in the closed hand. Declarer drew trumps and had to avoid losing two more tricks in the minor suits to get home. The diamond finesse was the obvious way to do so, but there was no reason to rush into it. There was a line that offered a better chance at no cost. Declarer simply exited with a club.

In with the jack of clubs East could not afford to give declarer a ruff-sluff by leading a heart, so the defender had to break diamonds. Declarer played low and when West produced the queen declarer could claim.

What if West held the ten, not the queen? Declarer would win with the king and could still fall back on the diamond finesse. South’s play gives him two chances rather than just one.

2010 Tribune Media Services