bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

x4 3

uA Q 8 6 4

v3

wK Q 10 9 8

WEST EAST

xA K J 5 x10 9 8 2

uK J 10 9 u7 5 2

vK 5 vQ 10 9 7 6

w5 4 3 w2

SOUTH

xQ 7 6

u3

vA J 8 4 2

wA J 7 6

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v Dbl 1u Pass

2w Pass 4w Pass

5w Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Ace of x

We once again feature some hands from Eddie Kantar’s excellent series “Thinking Bridge,” designed for players eager to improve their game and published in the Daily Bulletins at the recent ACBL Spring North American Championships held in Louisville, Ky.

“As North, it is wiser not to redouble with 11+ high-card points when you have a two-suited hand. It is wiser to simply make a forcing bid at the one- level with the intention of bidding your other suit next. You want to get both suits in before competition starts and this is the best way. A one-level response after a takeout double is unlimited and should be treated as if second hand had passed.

“As East, once North bids you are off the hook and should be happy to pass. South’s two clubs is natural and not forcing. As North, your jump raise to four clubs, bypassing three no trump, is both forcing and slam invitational. With a minimum, South signs off in five clubs.

”As West, shift to a trump at trick two rather than set up declarer’s queen of spades, a card partner doesn’t have if he gives a negative signal at trick one.

“As South, with high trumps and short suits in both hands, think ‘crossruff’. Start by counting your top tricks. You have the club trick you have just taken plus both red aces for three.

“Next, count the trump tricks available. You remain with four trumps in dummy facing three in hand, all of which can be made separately.

“Bottom line: You start with three top tricks and can make seven more trump tricks by crossruffing. You are short one trick, so you need the heart finesse. After you take the heart finesse and it wins, cash the ace of hearts, discarding a spade, cash the ace of diamonds and merrily ruff diamonds and hearts back and forth for 11 tricks.”

2011 Tribune Media Services