BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Both vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

x2

uA K Q 10 2

v10 9 5 3

wA K J

WEST EAST

x10 4 3 xJ 9 6

uJ 8 7 6 3 u9 5 4

v8 4 vA K Q 2

wQ 3 2 w8 7 5

SOUTH

xA K Q 8 7 5

uVoid

vJ 7 6

w10 9 6 4

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1u Pass 2x Pass

3v Pass 4x Pass

4NT Pass 5x Pass

6x Dbl Pass Pass

Pass

Opening lead: ?

This deal is from a qualifying round match between India and Poland in the Bermuda Bowl some years ago. To appreciate West’s problem in selecting a lead, cover up the other three hands, study the auction and make your choice.

Since the jump to two spades was strong, no one can accuse the Polish South of holding back in the bidding. Although South tried to apply the brakes by employing the Principle of Fast Arrival with the jump to four spades, North cannot be faulted for concluding that South had to have solid spades and either the king or ace of diamonds — what else was left to justify the jump shift? North asked for aces with Roman Key-card Blackwood, and South’s response announced two controls and the queen of trumps. That was all North needed to hear to raise to slam, and East made a lead- directing double.

West was honest enough to admit later that, without the double, he would have led a club — the unbid suit. East’s Lightner double barred that suit, and normally would call for dummy’s first-bid suit, in this case, hearts. Since hearts had not been rebid or raised, and since West was looking at five hearts, there was no way partner could score two quick tricks in the suit and there was nothing in the auction to suggest that South had concealed a heart fragment and that partner could ruff.

Still, after considerable thought West led a heart, and the friendly lie of the black cards allowed declarer to take all the tricks for plus 1,860!

At the other table, North-South came to rest in four spades on an auction where diamonds was the unbid suit, so West led it. East cashed three diamond tricks and continued the suit, promoting a trump trick for the defense — down one. Poland gained 18 IMPs instead of losing 12 had West led a diamond against the slam.

2012 Tribune Media Services