bridge

bridge

North-South vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xK

uA

v7 6 3 2

wA K J 10 8 7 4

WEST EAST

xJ 10 9 8 6 3 x7 2

u10 6 u7 5 4 3 2

vA 10 9 8 vK 5 4

w5 wQ 6 3

SOUTH

xA Q 5 4

uK Q J 9 8

vQ J

w9 2

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u 2x 3w Pass

3NT Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Jack of x

Here’s another deal from Eddie Kantar’s award-winning series “Thinking Bridge” for those anxious to improve their game.

“It’s not at all clear that you should bid 3 NT (good partners will hold the ten of diamonds), nor is it clear that North should pass 3 NT. And yes, one normally has a better suit for a weak jump overcall, but the vulnerability plus partner’s original pass made it seem like a good idea. Let’s put it this way, the bidding leaves a ‘little’ to be desired, but I needed the contract to end in three no trump and didn’t know how to do it: A confession.

“Lead seems normal. It would help to be playing the lead convention ‘jack denies.’ If you were, East would know that South has the ace-queen. As it is, East will probably think that West has led from an A J 10 combination.

“As East, play the two of spades at trick one. The rule for third hand is: If partner leads low and dummy takes the trick with the king or ace, play low to deny a high honor, the queen or king. When dummy takes the trick with the queen or lower, give count as you could not cover. If dummy has the blank queen, play the seven.

“Don’t play too quickly to the first trick! If you play low, you have no way back to your heart and spade winners and must bank on the clubs coming in without a loser given your non- existent diamond stopper. Better to overtake the king of spades, discard the ace of hearts on the queen of spades, and play the top hearts, hoping the ten drops, giving you nine tricks. If the heart ten doesn’t drop, fall back on the clubs. Applause please.”

For more information on “Thinking Bridge” and other Kantar writings, go to www.Kantarbridge.com.

2010 Tribune Media Services