bridge

July 22, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

bridge

North-South vulnerable. South deals.

SOUTH

x5 4 3

vQ J 9 2

wA 7 6 5 2

WESTEAST

x9 8 7 2xK Q J 10

uQ 8 7 4 2uK 6 3

vVoidv10 7 6 5

wQ J 8 3wK 9

SOUTH

xA 6

uA J 10 9

vA K 8 4 3

w10 4

The bidding:

SOUTHWESTNORTHEAST

1vPass3vPass

3uPass4wPass

4xPass5vPass

PassPass

Opening lead: Two of x

Beware of wasting a move on a contract that seems easy. Here’s a case in point.

North-South did well to stay out of three no trump. There were eight fast tricks to be had, but the opponents would be able to develop a fifth trick before North-South could set up a ninth.

West led a low spade, and declarer won with the ace in hand and tested trumps, doing the defenders’ work for them. When West showed out, discarding a spade, declarer set about a crossruff — one trick too late. He prepared for club ruffs in hand by cashing the ace and continuing with a club, but East grabbed the king and played another trump and there was no way to 11 tricks.

At trick two declarer should cash the ace of clubs and continue with a club. East can win and play a trump, but declarer can score five trumps in hand, three heart ruffs in dummy and the three side-suit aces to make his game.

2010 Tribune Media Services