bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

xA 7

u10 6 3

vK Q 10 9

wK Q 10 2

WEST EAST

xJ 10 9 4 2 xK 8 5

uA 7 5 uK J 9 2

v7 6 4 3 v8

w8 wJ 9 7 6 4

SOUTH

xQ 6 3

uQ 8 4

vA J 5 2

wA 5 3

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1w Pass 2NT Pass

3NT Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Jack of x

Here’s another example where simply counting points can suggest the winning defense. How would you, East, defend against three no trump after partner leads the jack of spades and declarer plays low from dummy?

North-South reached a contract of three no trump in quick time, and West led the top of his spade sequence, declarer played low from dummy and you must decide what to do.

You can account for at least 35 of the 40 points in the deck, so chances of partner having the two entries necessary to establish and run the spades are slight — the opening lead marks declarer with the queen. The only hope for the defense is to collect four tricks in hearts to go with your spade trick, so you decide to switch.

If you routinely lead your fourth-best heart, West will win with the ace but declarer’s queen will stop the suit. It’s time for a surround play — lead the jack of hearts and your K 9 will surround dummy’s ten. Note that declarer cannot refuse to cover the jack — a low heart continuation to the ace and a heart to the king gives the defenders four heart tricks and a spade — down one.

2010 Tribune Media Services