bridge

bridge

East-West vulnerable. East deals.

NORTH

x5 4

u9 5

vQ J 10 8 6 4

wA K J

WEST EAST

xQ 10 8 6 3 xJ 9 2

uK 10 8 3 uA J 7 2

vA 3 v7 2

w7 5 w6 4 3 2

SOUTH

xA K 7

uQ 6 4

vK 9 5

wQ 10 9 8

The bidding:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

Pass 1w 1x 2v

2x 2NT Pass 3NT

Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Six of x

Here’s another deal from Eddie Kantar’s popular series “Thinking Bridge,” designed for players who want to improve their game.

“As East, you have a borderline raise to two spades. As North your two diamonds in competition shows 10 or more high-card points and is not a game force, but your trick-taking potential is enough to raise to three no trump after partner’s non-forcing two no trump bid [13-14 HCP].

“As South, take the first trick with the king of spades, not the ace. West knows you have the ace-king from East’s play of the jack of spades, but East can’t be sure what’s going on if you win the king. East may think you have K Q x or K x x. If you win the spade ace, East may smell a rat. If your only stopper is the ace, why no hold-up play? Bottom line: With an A-K stopper at notrump, take the first trick with the king; at a suit contract, try the ace.

“As West, after winning the ace of diamonds, you can count declarer for at least nine tricks outside of hearts: five diamonds, two spades and two clubs, minimum. To entertain any hope of defeating the contract, shift to a low heart [the three], looking for four heart tricks.

“As East when partner shifts to a low heart, showing strength, win the ace of hearts and return the two. Your side will rattle off four heart tricks. Down one. If partner had wanted a spade return, partner would have shifted to a high heart, showing weakness in the suit.”

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

2012 Tribune Media Services