bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xA 6 4

uK 7 5

v8 7 6 5 2

wA 3

WEST EAST

xQ 8 7 5 3 xJ 9

uQ 6 uJ 10 4 2

vK J 10 9 4 vVoid

wK wQ J 10 8 6 5 2

SOUTH

xK 10 2

uA 9 8 3

vA Q 3

w9 7 4

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1w 1x Dbl Pass

2u Pass 2x Pass

2NT Pass 3NT Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Jack of v

With a balanced 24 points and a shabby five-card minor, North-South reached an ambitious no-trump game. South, Bart Bramley of Dallas, Texas received a lucky break with the opening lead of the jack of diamonds into his ace-queen tenace. He won with the queen and made a good shot by leading a low heart to the seven.

East won with the ten and shifted to a spade. Unfortunately, he chose the natural looking jack — the nine would have been a better shot.

Declarer won in dummy and cashed the king of hearts, dropping the queen, and continued by successfully taking a finesse for the jack.

The ace of clubs was cashed, followed by a diamond to the ace and a diamond exit. East could take his three diamond winners, but then had to lead from the queen of spades into declarer’s tenace. That gave declarer three spade tricks, three hearts, two diamonds and a club for a well-played nine tricks.

2011 Tribune Media Services