bridge

bridge

North-South vulnerable. East deals.

NORTH

xQ 6

uK Q 10 7

vA K 9 7

w7 5 2

WEST EAST

xJ 9 7 xA 8

uA 9 5 2 u3

v6 4 vQ J 8 5 2

wK J 10 9 wA 8 6 4 3

SOUTH

xK 10 5 4 3 2

uJ 8 6 4

v10 3

wQ

The bidding:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

Pass Pass Pass 1v

Pass 1x Pass 1NT

Pass 2x Pass Pass

2NT Pass 3w Pass

Pass 3u Dbl Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Six of v

For the next few weeks we will feature hands from the recent ACBL Fall North American Championships held in Orlando. This double-dummy deal is from the opening day. See how you would fare in three hearts doubled after the lead of the six of diamonds.

The key to success is to avoid leading trumps too early — if you do, East can gain the lead with the ace of spades, underlead the ace of clubs and West gets in to play ace of hearts and another. Try it.

At trick two lead the queen of spades! East wins and, since no diamond ruff exists, might as well play a club. If West wins and returns a club, declarer can crossruff for nine tricks. If, instead, West wins and plays ace and another heart, declarer wins, cashes the king of spades and ruffs a spade with a top heart, returns to hand with the jack of trumps and runs spades. The best the defense can do is take two trumps and a trick in each black suit.

2011 Tribune Media Services