bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

xJ 10

uQ J 3

vA 5 3

wK 9 7 5 2

WEST EAST

xQ 9 7 2 x5 3

uA 10 u9 7 6

vK J 10 4 2 vQ 9 8 7 6

wJ 3 wA Q 4

SOUTH

xA K 8 6 4

uK 8 5 4 2

vVoid

w10 8 6

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1NT Pass 2u Pass

2x Pass 3u Pass

4u Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Ace of u

Some deals have more than one line possible to land the contract. Choosing the correct one is a matter of chance. Consider this deal, played in the first qualifying round of the Jacoby Open Swiss Teams a while ago. Sitting South was Steve Goldstein of Cheverly, Md.

North’s one no trump opening showed 11-12 points, and a transfer sequence offered North a choice of major-suit games and four hearts became the final contract.

West led the ace of hearts and continued with the ten, won in dummy. The ace and king of spades were cashed and a spade was ruffed with the queen as East parted with a diamond. Next, a diamond was ruffed in the closed hand and the outstanding trump was drawn with the king. The crucial time had arrived.

One line was to concede a spade and play to find West with the ace of clubs and discard the third club on the ace of diamonds. Fortunately for declarer, he spurned this line in favor of leading the ten of clubs, covered by the jack and king and losing to the ace.

East exited with a diamond, ruffed by declarer with his last trump. Declarer led the eight of clubs, which was allowed to hold, and continued with another club to the queen. East was forced to bring dummy back to life with his diamond return — making four-odd.

2012 Tribune Media Services