bridge

October 1, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

bridge

Both vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

xJ 8 2

uA K J 7 4

vA 5

w7 4 2

WEST EAST

x10 7 6 3 xA

u9 5 u10 6 3 2

vQ J 7 v8 4

wQ J 10 3 wA K 9 8 6 5

SOUTH

xK Q 9 5 4

uQ 8

vK 10 9 6 3 2

wVoid

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1u 2w2x 3w

3x 4w 4x Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Queen of w

Going for overtricks at duplicate pairs is the norm. However, once in a while there is good reason to suspect that might not be a good idea. This deal is from a major international pairs championship.

The bidding is more or less routine and indeed, four spades was the popular contract, even though five clubs would have been a good save. However, East felt the chances of defeating four spades were good. Unfortunately, he was at the wrong table.

West led the queen of clubs, ruffed in hand. Declarer crossed to the ace of diamonds and led a trump, and the appearance of the ace from East gave food for thought — the possibility of a 4-1 trump break loomed large. When East reverted to the king of clubs, declarer elected to discard a diamond, and to do so again on the next club.

The contract was now unbeatable. If the defenders continued clubs, declarer could ruff in dummy, draw trumps and collect five heart tricks for a top board.

2010 Tribune Media Services