bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

xQ 10 5 4

uK 8 7 6

v9 5

wK 7 4

WEST EAST

x9 6 xJ 8 7

u10 3 u9 5 2

vQ J 10 7 vA K 8 3 2

wJ 10 9 6 2 wA Q

SOUTH

xA K 3 2

uA Q J 4

v6 4

w8 5 3

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

Pass 1v Dbl 3v

Dbl Pass 3u Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Queen of v

Here’s another deal from Eddie Kantar’s award-winning “Thinking Bridge” series, published in the Daily Bulletins at the ACBL North American Championships.

“As West, after an opposing takeout double, any jump by the responder [you] is pre-emptive. Don’t worry about partner having three diamonds. That will be the case about 5 percent of the time. Do not play for exceptions! Would you rather be right 5 percent or 95 percent of the time?

“As North, your double, called ‘responsive,’ is for takeout after partner makes a takeout double and the opponents support each other. Your double shows the ability to play in hearts and spades plus 7-10 HCP. As South, after partner makes a responsive double, bid the full value of your hand. Three hearts is plenty. As North, you have told your story with your double, and if all partner can do is bid three hearts, call it a day.

“As East, before blindly playing the eight of diamonds to encourage partner, check dummy to see if you want some suit more than diamonds. Your eyes should come to rest upon your clubs. A club shift would be great, so play a low diamond asking for a shift, usually to dummy’s shorter side suit. If partner shifts to the jack of clubs and declarer plays low from dummy, win with the queen of clubs, cash the ace and lead a low diamond to partner’s known jack to get a club ruff. Nice defense.

“As third hand, do not signal partner encouragement in the suit led if you want a shift, play low and hope partner works it out.

“As declarer, if West shifts to the jack of clubs, play low from dummy. The bidding marks East with the ace-queen of clubs and it may be doubleton!”

2012 Tribune Media Services