bridge

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

bridge

Neither vulnerable. West deals.

NORTH

xA Q 8 6 5 3

uK Q J

wJ 5 3

WEST EAST

xK xJ 9 2

u10 9 5 2 uA 8 7

vK 10 9 8 7 5 4 vJ 6

wQ wA 8 7 4 2

SOUTH

x10 7 4

u6 4 3

vA Q 2

wK 10 9 6

This deal is from the Iceland-Italy encounter at the recent European Championships. Look only at the South hand and decide what you would bid after the following auction:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

3v 3x Pass ?

The auction started this way at both tables.

The Icelandic South raised to four spades. After the jack of diamonds lead, declarer (North) won the ace, led a trump to the king and ace and ran the jack of clubs. That lost to the queen, and declarer also lost a trump and the aces of hearts and clubs, down one.

For Italy, Laurenzo Lauria elected to bid three no trump. West led a heart, East won with the ace and shifted to the jack of diamonds. Declarer ducked, won the diamond continuation, led a spade to the king and ace and conceded a spade, giving himself eight tricks.

When East shifted to a low club, declarer had no difficulty in rising with the king, and the queen from West was a bonus — making 10 tricks for a pickup of 10 imps.

2010 Tribune Media Services