bridge

bridge

East-West vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xK J

uA 9 6

vA Q 9 7 4

w10 5 3

WEST EAST

x10 6 4 3 2 xA Q 9 8

u5 3 u8 7

v6 2 vK 5 3

wK 9 8 2 wQ 7 6 4

SOUTH

x7 5

uK Q J 10 4 2

vJ 10 8

wA J

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Pass 2v Pass

2u Pass 4u Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Two of w

Here’s another deal from Eddie Kantar’s popular series “Thinking Bridge,” published in the Daily Bulletins at the recent ACBL Fall North American Championships.

North-South arrive at a normal four-heart contract. “As West, when the bidding indicates that there is a likely five-card suit in dummy and you are not strong in that suit, it is usually best to make an attacking lead in an unbid suit. The general rule is to lead from your stronger unbid suit, but not one that has the ace. I remember reading that in my Goren book!

“After East plays the queen of clubs at trick one, you have two sure club tricks by taking the ace. However, it would be the wrong play! The lead of a low card usually promises a high honor, so West is a strong favorite to hold the king of clubs. If you win the ace, draw trumps and then take what might be a losing diamond finesse, East will return a club to West’s king and you will have to deal with a spade return from West.

“You can avoid this by ducking the first club, winning the return and then taking the diamond finesse. Even if it loses, East cannot get West in for a spade return, and if East doesn’t take the ace of spades, he can kiss it goodbye until the next hand.”

For more information on this and other Kantar writings, go to www.Kantarbridge.com and mention this column.

2011 Tribune Media Services