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Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xA Q 7 2

uA 8 5 2

vJ 3

wA J 6

WEST EAST

x10 8 3 xJ 9 6 4

uQ J 9 7 uK

vQ 9 v10 8 6 5 2

w10 9 7 4 w5 3 2

SOUTH

xK 5

u10 6 4 3

vA K 7 4

wK Q 8

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT Pass 2w Pass

2u Pass 3x Pass

4u Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Ten of w

There are a few basic systems employed by the majority of expert pairs, and they can be described in a few pages. What is more important is the partnership agreements that are used. For instance, Jeff Meckstroth and Eric Rodwell, regarded by many as the world’s best pair, have a book of several hundred pages listing their agreements!

This deal was played in a team match and at both tables the auction started with a strong notrump and a heart response to the Stayman inquiry. At the other table North jumped to five hearts. That was passed and declarer lost three trump tricks.

At this table North bid three spades as a slam-try agreeing hearts. South, with a minimum count and very weak hearts, signed off in game. West led the ten of clubs and declarer played safely, taking the first trick and ducking a round of trumps. After winning the return, South cashed dummy’s ace of hearts. Had trumps split 3-2, declarer would have taken 11 tricks; after seeing the actual break, South discontinued trumps, ruffing a spade in the closed hand and leading side-suit winners. West made two more trumps.

“This North was able to try for slam at a safe level even though North-South were a new partnership. They had agreed to use Bridge World Standard, a consensus system developed by The Bridge World magazine based on the preferred methods of leading American experts. Even with no preliminary discussion, each partner knew what North’s three-spade bid meant.”

A listing of all the system’s agreements is available in a convenient book, “The Pocket Guide to Bridge World Standard” (72pp., $8.95 plus $ 2 shipping, available from The Bridge World, P.O. Box 299, Scarsdale N.Y. 10583 or www.bridgeworld.com).

2011 Tribune Media Services