bridge

May 6, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

bridge

Neither vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xK J 9 8 6 5 2

u9 6 4

vVoid

w9 7 5

WEST EAST

x10 3 xQ 7

u8 7 2 u10 5 3

vJ 6 5 4 vQ 10 9 8 3 2

wK Q 6 3 wA 2

SOUTH

xA 4

uA K Q J

vA K 7

wJ 10 8 4

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

2NT Pass 3u* Pass

3x Pass 4x Pass

Pass Pass

*transfer

Opening lead: Four of v

On this deal from a team event, the scores were largely flat. After a transfer sequence and a red-suit lead, declarer had a fast 13 tricks. However, there was a different sequence at one table:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1w* Pass 1x 3v

3NT 4w! 4x Pass

Pass Pass

*artificial game force

West made a lead-directing bid of four clubs. East obliged partner by leading the ace of clubs and continuing the suit. West cashed the third club winner and continued with another club. Whether declarer ruffed high or low, the defenders had to come to a trump trick — down one.

North did not shine here. Having already shown his spades, there was no need for him to convince partner he had a sixth and seventh spade. He should simply have passed and let South choose what to do. A double, followed by another double when East-West would have run to four diamonds, would have netted the defenders seven tricks for 800 points and a pretty pickup.

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