bridge

bridge

East-West vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

x7 4

uQ 6 3

vA 8 2

wK Q 9 6 2

WEST EAST

xQ J 9 6 3 2 xK 8 5

u10 8 uJ 9 7 4 2

vJ vK 10 6 5 3

wJ 10 8 7 wVoid

SOUTH

xA 10

uA K 5

vQ 9 7 4

wA 5 4 3

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT Pass 3NT Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Q of x

Here’s another deal from Eddie Kantar’s award-winning series “Thinking Bridge,” designed for players eager to improve their game.

“A routine auction and opening lead makes you declarer at three no trump. East signals with the eight of spades at trick one, showing an honor. With K x, East overtakes to unblock the suit and with 8 x East plays low to deny an honor.

“Assuming clubs are not 4-0, as South you have 10 tricks — five clubs, three hearts and two side-suit aces. So what can go wrong? Clubs may be 4-0. This actually happens a bit more than a quarter of the time, so be prepared.

“If East has four clubs, there is nothing you can do to prevent East from winning a club trick. However, if West has four clubs, you can pick up the suit if you start with the ace.

“After East shows out, it is easy enough to pick up the suit by eventually twice leading low toward the dummy.

“Careful declarers [like you] should consider the possibility of 4-0 splits rather than be burned by them. Also, do not waste time worrying about a 4-0 split that you can do nothing about [East having four clubs]. Concentrate on the 4-0 split that you can do something about.”

For more information about “Thinking Bridge” and other Kantar award-winning books, go to www.kantarbridge.com.

2011 Tribune Media Services