bridge

October 7, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

bridge

Both vulnerable. West deals.

NORTH

xA K 8 5 2

uQ 6 3

v9 7 2

wQ 4

WEST EAST

xQ 9 7 3 x6 4

u8 uJ 10 7 4

v8 6 5 3 vA K Q J 4

wA 8 5 2 w7 6

SOUTH

xJ 10

uA K 9 5 2

v10

wK J 10 9 3

The bidding:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

Pass Pass 1 v 1u

Dbl 2v Pass 4u

Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Three of v

Spot cards have no value in the point count, but they can be crucial in making or breaking a contract. Sitting South on this deal was U.S. internationalist and former world champion Billy Eisenberg.

West’s double of one heart was negative — for takeout. North showed his strength with a cue-bid and four hearts was reached in short order.

West led a low diamond, East won and continued with a diamond, ruffed by declarer. Declarer cashed the ace of trumps and crossed to the table’s queen, on which West discarded a club. The queen of clubs was allowed to hold and the club continuation was taken with the ace. The defense continued with a third round of diamonds, and Eisenberg correctly ruffed and led the jack of spades, covered with the queen and taken with the king. He returned to hand with the ten of spades and led a good club, East ruffing to return a diamond. Declarer ruffed in dummy and played a spade winner. If East ruffs, South overruffs and cashes the good club for 10 tricks. If East discards, the heart king is declarer’s fulfilling trick.

Spot the key card in this line? Switch either the jack or ten of spades with one of dummy’s low cards, and the contract cannot be made. Try it!

2010 Tribune Media Services