East-West vulnerable. South deals.

February 26, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

NORTH

x9 3 2

u6 5 4

v9 6 3 2

wJ 9 8

WEST EAST

xVoid x8 7 6 4

uK J 9 8 u10 7

vQ J 10 5 vK 8 4

wQ 7 5 3 2 wK 10 6 4

SOUTH

xA K Q J 10 5

uA Q 3 2

vA 7

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

2w Pass 2v Pass

2x Pass 3w Pass

4x Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Queen of v

Here’s another deal from Eddie Kantar’s excellent series “Thinking Bridge,” designed for players eager to improve their game and published in the Daily Bulletins at the recent ACBL Fall North American Championships.

“The bidding needs a little explanation. Two clubs is strong and artificial, two diamonds is a waiting response (waiting for disaster!) and two spades is forcing. Three clubs was being used as a double negative after a two-heart or two-spade rebid by opener, denying as much as an ace, a king or two queens. Knowing what is opposite, South bid four spades looking at close to 10 tricks. No matter how you and partner play, you have to have a way to show a bust hand facing a two-club opener.

“East plays the eight of diamonds at trick one to show partner the king.

“The title of this hand should be ‘resisting temptation.’ There is a strong temptation to cross to the nine of spades to take a heart finesse. However it is a very risky play especially as you have 10 sure tricks no matter who has the king of hearts! Count tricks! You have six top spades and three aces for nine. If you can ruff a heart in dummy with the nine of spades, that makes 10. Do it. Win the ace of diamonds and play ace and another heart. No matter what the opponents do, you are in great shape. Just keep that nine of spades over there. When next on lead, concede a second heart and then, finally ruff your queen of hearts with the nine of spades, your 10th trick! Notice that if you take the heart finesse it loses (what else is new) and you will not be able to ruff your fourth heart in dummy — East will overruff.”

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

SCrt 2010 Tribune Media Services