bridge

bridge

Neither vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xQ 9 8

u8 3 2

vK Q

wQ J 10 9 5

WEST EAST

xK 6 xA J 10 2

uJ 10 9 6 u7 5 4

vA 7 6 vJ 8 5 3

w8 7 3 2 w6 4

SOUTH

x7 5 4 3

uA K Q

v10 9 4 2

wA K

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT Pass 3NT Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Jack of u

We continue with a deal from Eddie Kantar’s series ”Thinking Bridge,” designed for players anxious to improve their game.

”Although a little off center, it may be hard to describe the South hand if it is not opened one no trump. All’s well that ends well. North-South have arrived at the best contract.

”East plays the heart four at trick one, denying a high honor: no encouraging signal, no overtake with honor doubleton, no overtake with K x x (x) or A x x (x) in case partner has led from A J 10 or K J 10. (If the lead of the jack denies a higher honor East does not overtake with K x x (x), but rather signals encouragement.)

”As declarer, take the first trick with the queen of hearts. Why? West knows you have the heart queen from East’s discouraging signal and East knows you have the heart queen from West’s lead of the heart jack. When both opponents know you have a card (queen of hearts), get rid of it. Treat it as a hot potato, a scalding hot potato.

”As West, after South wins the queen of hearts, cashes the ace and king of clubs and leads a diamond, the ball is in your court. You know declarer has three heart tricks from partner’s negative signal. Once declarer gets to dummy with a diamond, he will have five club tricks plus a diamond for nine tricks. In addition, South is known to have 9 HCP in hearts plus 7 in clubs for a total of 16 HCP. Partner must have the ace of spades and might well have the jack. Grab the diamond and shift to the king of spades, followed by another spade. As East, do not signal encouragement with an honor. ... You would be signaling with the setting trick!”

For more information on ”Winning Tricks” and other Kantar writings, go to www.kantarbridge.com.

2012 Tribune Media Services