bridge

May 14, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

bridge

East-West vulnerable. South deals.

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

This is another deal from Eddie Kantar’s excellent series “Thinking Bridge” for those who are eager to improve their game.

“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 hearts or two spades rebid, denying as much as an ace, a king or two queens. Knowing what is opposite, South bids four spades looking at close to 10 tricks in his own hand. 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.

“There is a strong temptation to cross to the nine of spades and take a heart finesse. However, it is a very risky play 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, that makes 10. Do it. Win the ace of diamonds and play the ace of hearts 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, 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.

“As declarer, when you have a 4-3 side suit (hearts) with high trumps in dummy, consider ruffing the fourth card with a high trump in case the suit does not break 3-3.”

2010 Tribune Media Services