bridge

bridge

North-South vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

x10

uQ 7

vQ 9 4 3

wA K Q 9 7 5

WEST EAST

xQ 8 6 3 2 xA J 7 4

uJ 10 9 6 4 u8 5 3 2

vA 8 v6

w2 wJ 10 4 3

SOUTH

xK 9 5

uA K

vK J 10 7 5 2

w8 6

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1w Pass 1v 2v

3v 4v 5v Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Two of w

We continue discussing the possibilities of lead-direction plays early in the game. Here’s another deal from rubber bridge.

West’s two diamonds was a Michaels cue-bid promising at least 10 cards in the majors. East’s cue-bid asked partner to pick a major, and South went on to the minor-suit game.

West led the two of clubs, an obvious singleton. Left to his own devices, West would have no way of knowing in which, if any, suit East had an entry. However, East had an easy play to show partner the right path — he played the jack of clubs under dummy’s ace.

West got the message loud and clear. When declarer now led a trump to his king, East won with the ace and shifted to a spade. East took his ace and returned a club — down one.

2010 Tribune Media Services

Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.