bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. West deals.

NORTH

xJ 9 8 4

uA Q

v10 9 5

wA 10 8 2

WEST EAST

xA 5 2 x7 6

uK J 8 6 2 u9 7 5 3

vQ 8 vA 7 6 3

wK 6 5 w9 7 4

SOUTH

xK Q 10 3

u10 4

vK J 4 2

wQ J 3

The bidding:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1u Dbl 2u 4x

Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Six of u

We continue with deals from the recent ACBL Fall North American Championships held in Orlando. Sitting South on this deal was JoAnn Sprung of Philadelphia.

Once North elected to make a touchy takeout double, North-South were destined to land in four spades. This was a popular auction, and a heart lead was well-nigh automatic. There was one clue available to declarer — East-West’s opening no trump range was 14-17 points.

Declarer finessed the queen of hearts, which won. A trump to the queen lost to the ace. West persevered with a heart, taken with ace. Trumps were drawn, ending in hand, and the queen of clubs was covered by the king and won with the ace. The clubs were cleared, bringing about this position:

x9

u —

v10 9 5

w —

x — x —

uK J u9

vQ 8 vA 7 6

w — w —

x3

u —

vK J 4

w —

West had shown up with the ace of spades, king of hearts and king of clubs, and declarer decided that with the ace of diamonds as well, West would likely have opened one no trump despite the five-card heart suit. She elected to follow her instincts, and led a diamond to the king and returned a diamond. No matter which defender won the diamond trick, that was the last trick for the defense. The defender is endplayed!

2009 Tribune Media Services