bridge

June 23, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

bridge

East-West vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xA 6

uK 5 3 2

w10 9 8 7 4 3

WEST EAST

xK Q 8 7 5 4 xJ 3 2

uJ 9 uQ 8

vQ J 8 7 vK 10 9 5 3

w2 wA K J

SOUTH

x10 9

uA 10 7 6 4

vA 4 2

wQ 6 5

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

Pass Pass Pass 1v

1u 1x 4u Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: ?

This deal is from the recent Spring North American Championships in Reno. This was the auction at one of the tables. Looking at all four hands, can four hearts be made with any lead?

With a trump, heart or diamond lead, there’s no problem. Declarer starts with nine tricks — five trumps and two ruffs and two aces. He has time to establish a club trick for the fulfilling trick, draws any outstanding trump and starts on clubs. It would seem that would make declarer’s task easier. After three rounds of clubs, declarer can claim the balance.

Deep Finesse, the computer program that analyzes hands for many bridge writers, disagrees. Not so, argues the computer. East must win the first club and give West an immediate ruff. Now West shifts to a spade and the defenders get their spade trick before declarer can establish his clubs!

For information and download of the program, go to www.deepfinesse.com.

2010 Tribune Media Services