bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. West deals.

NORTH

x8 2

uQ J 8 5 3 2

v5 3

wJ 10 9

WEST EAST

x10 3 x6 5

uA K 9 u7 6 4

vA K J 10 4 v9 7 6

wK 6 2 w8 7 5 4 3

SOUTH

xA K Q J 9 7 4

u10

vQ 8 2

wA Q

The bidding:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1v Pass Pass Dbl

1NT 2u Pass 3NT

Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: King of v

There is such a thing as holding too good a hand. Consider this deal from the Championship flight of the Morehead Grand National Teams at the recent ACBL Summer National Championships held in Toronto.

Three no trump was the contract at both tables and the king of diamonds was the opening lead. At both tables, East discouraged, but at one table West continued with ace and jack of diamonds, and South ran nine tricks.

At the other table, Kyle Larsen found the killing defense — he shifted to the ace and king of hearts! That did set up dummy’s suit, but declarer had no entry to the board. Even worse, declarer had no discard from hand! No matter which suit he selected, he was discarding his ninth trick — a diamond will allow West to run his suit and, should South discard a spade, West can continue by cashing his two top diamonds and lead another diamond. Should declarer discard a high club, West can exit with a club and wait for his three diamond tricks. Declarer can only come to eights trick in all — down one.

2011 Tribune Media Services