bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xK 9 6 4

u8 6 3 2

vJ 6 5 3

w2

WEST EAST

xJ 7 3 2 xA 10 5

u10 9 5 4 uK Q 7

v9 v8

w10 9 5 4 wA K Q J 8 3

SOUTH

xQ 8

uA J

vA K Q 10 7 4 2

w7 6

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v Pass 1u Dbl

3NT Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Two of x

This deal is from a match between Australia and Argentina at the World Junior Championships.

We are not quite sure why South felt obliged to bid three no trump without a stopper in either black suit, but all turned out well for the South Americans when North led a spade and East grabbed the ace and cashed six club tricks for down three.

In the other room the Australians were allowed to play in four clubs just making, reducing their loss on the board to 5 IMPs.

In the match between Great Britain and France, both teams bid to five diamonds and were doubled after South opened with a forcing one club and North responded negatively with one diamond.

The French defender cashed one club and switched to the king of hearts and the defense had three tricks.

At the other table the British defender felt he had too many clubs, the suit partner had opened, and so elected to lead a spade.

Now declarer was able to set up dummy’s king of spades to take care of a loser — 14 IMPs to France.

2011 Tribune Media Services