bridge

bridge

North-South vulnerable. West deals.

NORTH

xA 9 7 5 3

uVoid

vQ 10 8 2

w9 4 3 2

WEST EAST

xK Q J 10 8 6 4 xVoid

u2 uA 10 9 6 3

v7 4 3 vJ 9 6 5

w8 6 wA K 7 5

SOUTH

x2

uK Q J 8 7 5 4

vA K

wQ J 10

The bidding:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

3x Pass Pass 4u

Pass Pass Dbl Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: King of x

This deal is from a club team championship.

The auction cannot be faulted. Note West’s trusting partner’s double and not panicking.

He had described his hand with his opening pre-empt and that was that.

The king of spades lead was covered by the ace and ruffed by East, who returned the king of clubs, West signaling with the eight.

Eventually, West got to ruff the third round of clubs and the defenders collected two clubs and a ruff for down two — 500 points to East-West.

At the other table West ignored the precept that once he had shown his hand with a pre-empt, don’t try to save partner from his folly.

He elected to run to four spades, doubled by the opponents.

A diamond lead followed by perfect defense netted North-South 500 points.

Instead of a wash, the team holding the long suit here picked up 500 points in each room for a total swing of 1,000 points. Not bad for 10 minutes work!

2012 Tribune Media Services