bridge

bridge

Neither vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xK J 10

uK 9 8 6

vA Q J

w5 4 3

WEST EAST

x7 6 5 2 xA 9 8 3

u3 2 u10 4

v10 6 2 vK 9 8 4

wK Q 10 9 w8 7 2

SOUTH

xQ 4

uA Q J 7 5

v7 5 3

wA J 6

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Pass 2NT Pass

4u Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: King of w (standout lead)

Here is another deal in Eddie Kantar’s award-winning series “Thinking Bridge,” designed for players eager to improve their game and published in the Daily Bulletins at the recent Summer National Championships held in Toronto.

“The two no trump response is ‘Jacoby,’ showing an opening bid with at least four cards in partner’s major. It usually denies a singleton as splinter responses are usually available for those hand types. The four heart rebid announces a minimum with no slam interest and usually no singleton.

“As West, when East plays the two of clubs at trick one — in theory denying either the jack or the ace — and, you must find a shift knowing that South has the ace-jack of clubs. A diamond looks like the normal shift.

“As South, after correctly playing low at trick one, keep up the good work by playing high at trick two! Why? Count your tricks. You have five hearts, two diamonds [if you play the ace], two spades and a club for 10 tricks.

“Taking a diamond finesse is risking a safe contract for an overtrick. Say the finesse loses [Murphy’s Law], and a club comes back. Suddenly you are slated to lose four tricks: two clubs, a diamond and a spade. By winning the ace of diamonds, you can set up dummy’s third spade for a club discard after drawing trumps. In other words, you have won the race to avoid a second club loser.

“Even playing matchpoints, rise with the ace of diamonds. West is more apt to shift to a diamond not looking at the king.”

To find out more about “Thinking Bridge” and other Kantar writings, go to www.kantarbridge.com.

2011 Tribune Media Services