BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xK Q J

uQ 9

vQ J 6 4

wA 8 5 3

WEST EAST

x10 4 xA 9 8 5 2

u K 5 3 u 7 4

vA 8 7 v5 3 2

wK 7 6 4 2 wQ 10 9

SOUTH

x7 6 3

uA J 10 8 6 2

vK 10 9

wJ

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

2u Pass 2NT Pass

3v Pass 4u Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Ten of x

Here’s another deal from Eddie Kantar’s ”Thinking Bridge” series for players anxious to improve their bridge.

South’s two hearts is weak; two no trump asks for a feature, and three diamonds shows the ace or king in that suit — enough for North to bid game.

Holding trump control, typically A x (x) or K x x, short-suit leads are attractive. If a ruff cannot be obtained immediately, the opening leader at least remains with a trump entry and might still be able to put partner in and get a ruff. And there is another possibility...

Honor-card leads are usually top-of-sequence leads but can be short-suit leads. When the spot card directly beneath the honor that has been led (nine of spades) is visible, the lead is known to be from shortness. Now the burning question is: Is the lead a singleton or doubleton?

East must return to the bidding for clues. If the lead is a singleton, South has four spades. It is unlikely a two-heart opener has four cards in the other major. It is more likely South has three spades and the lead is from a doubleton with likely trump control. Say East plays the ace of spades and another. When West gets in with the king of hearts, he is out of spades and will be unable to put East in for a spade ruff. However, if East signals encouragement at trick one to show the ace, West remains with a spade. When West gets in with the king of hearts, the remaining spade is led to East’s ace, and South gets his beloved ruff, finally! The ace of diamonds is the setting trick.

For information about ”Winning Bridge” and other Kantar writings, go to www.kantarbridge.com.

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