bridge

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

bridge

East-West vulnerable. West deals.

NORTH

xK Q 7 3

uA 5 3

vA J 5

wK J 7

WEST EAST

xJ 6 4 xA 10 5 2

uJ 9 7 2 uQ 6

vK Q 3 v9 8 4

w10 9 6 wQ 8 5 4

SOUTH

x9 8

uK 10 8 4

v10 7 6 2

wA 3 2

The bidding:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

Pass 1w Pass 1v

Pass 1x Pass 1NT

Pass 3NT Pass Pass

Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Ten of w

The standard wisdom is that a combined 25 points are enough to contract for game at no trump, with a point or so more for the 10-trick suit game. Missing from this formula is that a source of tricks and the position of missing high cards could be determining factors. Consider this deal from an international pairs event.

With no 4-4 major-suit fit and a combined 25 points with good intermediates, three no trump is the textbook contract. What is missing, however, is a source of tricks!

The opening club lead was won in the closed hand with the ace. A spade to the king was ducked and a low heart to the ten lost to the jack. The defender reverted to a club to the knave and queen, and a club back left dummy on lead. West eventually gained the lead with a diamond to switch back to spades and declarer ended up down three for a joint bottom on the deal.

Does that mean that you need more than 25 points to contract for three no trump? Not necessarily. Just don’t expect 25 points always to produce nine tricks at no trump. Or as a defender, don’t expect your 15 points to produce seven tricks on defense!

2010 Tribune Media Services