bridge
bridge
East-West vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x5 4
u8 3
vQ J 10 7 6
wA Q J 5
WEST EAST
xJ 8 3 2 xA 10 9 7
uA 10 7 4 2 uJ 6 5
vK 9 v3 2
w9 4 w10 8 7 2
SOUTH
xK Q 6
uK Q 9
vA 8 5 4
wK 6 3
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1NT Pass 3NT Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Four of u
Here’s another deal from Eddie Kantar’s excellent series “Thinking Bridge,” designed for players anxious to improve their game.
In response to a one no trump opening bid, responder should treat non-slammish hands with 5-4 in the minors and two doubletons as balanced, and respond accordingly.
The four of hearts was led. East followed with the jack, denying the ten but not the queen. With Q J x, the correct third-hand play is the jack. South knows from the play of the jack that West has the ace-10 because the jack has denied both of those honors. In order to muddy the waters and leave East in doubt as to who has the queen, South takes the trick with the king. This play of the higher equal is a must-do. He then crosses to the queen of clubs and runs the queen of diamonds into West.
On lead with the king of diamonds, West can count nine quick tricks for the bad guys: four clubs, four diamonds and a heart. The problem is that West does not know who has the queen of hearts. If East has it, a low heart must be led. If South has the guarded queen, East must be put in with a projected ace of spades to lead a heart. If West decides to play South for the queen of hearts, he leads a high spade, showing weakness in the suit, logically asking for a heart return. A low spade, on the other hand, shows spade strength and asks for a spade return. Are you having fun?
East wins the ace of spades and fires the six of hearts through South. East-West take six tricks. Any other defense and declarer makes the contract easily. How much easier the defense would be for West if South takes the first trick with the queen. Do not be a friendly declarer. With two equal cards take the trick with the higher equal.
For information about “Thinking Bridge” and other Kantar writings, go to www.kantarbridge.com.
2012 Tribune Media Services