bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

x6 2

uA 10 3

vQ 6 2

wA J 9 3 2

WEST EAST

xJ 10 9 7 5 xQ 8 4 3

uK 9 6 uJ 8 4

v9 5 v10 8 7 4

w10 8 6 wK Q

SOUTH

xA K

uQ 7 5 2

vA K J 3

w7 5 4

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT Pass 3NT Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Jack of x

With eight fast tricks available and with the opponents ready to set up their long suit as soon as they regain the lead, the best shot for a ninth trick is in hearts. Find East with the king and you are home free. However, there is a slight extra chance. Can you spot it?

The auction is straight from Bridge 101. With 11 points and no major suit, North’s hand is strong enough to proceed directly to game — chances for 11 tricks in the minor are not bright.

West led the jack of spades, taken with the king in the South hand. Had there been time to lose two tricks, it would be right to go after clubs. That line would also deliver the tricks if West held K 10 or Q 10 of clubs. But, since playing for one card onside rather than two is clearly the percentage line, it might seem right to cross to dummy and lead a heart toward the queen. But how do you get to the table?

If this were an ice-skating competition, you would score a perfect 6 for leading a club to the ace. Why? Because if a high club honor falls from the East hand, you can return to hand with a diamond to lead a club to the nine. That nets two overtricks if the cards lie as in the diagram.

What happens if East drops the queen from a holding such as K Q 10 or Q 10 when the heart play would have been successful? Congratulate East on his excellent defense. It will not be the first time, nor the last, that a successful falsecard has reaped a rich reward!

2011 Tribune Media Services