bridge

bridge

Neither vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

xJ 5

uA K 6 4

vK 3 2

wK 8 5 4

WEST EAST

x9 6 4 3 xK Q 10 7

u9 8 uQ J 3

vQ J 7 v10 9 8 5 4

wQ 10 7 6 w2

SOUTH

xA 8 2

u10 7 5 2

vA 6

wA J 9 3

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1w Pass 1u Pass

2u Pass 3NT Pass

4u Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Queen of v

The optimist relies on finding either the queen of clubs onside or a 3-2 club split to land the heart game — pretty good odds. The pessimist tries to improve on that chance.

There are those who might consider responding on the South hand with a jump to two no trump rather than introduce such a shoddy four-card major. But with all primes and a ruffing value, finding a heart fit could produce a superior game. After South confirmed a game-going balanced hand with only four hearts, North had an automatic correction to the suit game.

West led the queen of diamonds and, with normal breaks, declarer would have to lose a trick in each major. The fate of the contract, therefore, depended on holding the club losers to one. Should declarer play on clubs early by cashing the king and leading another, the defenders will come to two tricks in the suit to defeat the hand. Good technique, however, will be rewarded.

Declarer won the opening lead in hand with the ace and realized there was no urgent need to tackle clubs until the number of trump losers were determined. If hearts were 4-1, declarer would have to bring in the clubs without loss by cashing the king and finessing East for the queen — the percentage line. So the ace and king of hearts were cashed and, when both defenders followed, declarer could afford a safety play to guarantee only one club loser.

A low club was led to the ace and the three was returned toward dummy’s K 8. When West followed low, declarer inserted the eight, not caring whether it won or lost. If East took the trick, clubs were splitting 3-2 and declarer’s only other losers would be a spade and a trump.

It does not help West to insert the ten on the second round of clubs, since declarer can establish a winner by force. Nor does it matter if East has club length. When West shows out on the second round, declarer rises with the king and returns a club toward the jack. In all cases declarer loses only one trick in each suit except diamonds.

2011 Tribune Media Services