bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xA J 9

u9 4 3

vK Q 3

w10 9 3 2

WEST EAST

x10 8 7 6 2 xK 4 3

uK 7 2 uQ J 10 8

vJ 4 2 v10 9 6 5

w6 5 wA 4

SOUTH

xQ 5

uA 6 5

vA 8 7

wK Q J 8 7

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT Pass 3NT Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Six of x

We continue with our selection of hands from Eddie Kantar’s “Thinking Bridge” series for players anxious to improve their game.

“The bidding is routine. Any other sequence would be scary.

“If you are East and declarer plays low from dummy, win with the king of spades and shift to the queen of hearts while you still have the ace of clubs for a re-entry.

“As South, you are in a nice contract and appear to have at least nine tricks once you drive out the ace of clubs, perhaps more. Time to ask the inevitable question: What can go wrong? Do you see anything?

“A born pessimist would see that if the spade is ducked at trick one and East wins and shifts to a heart before the ace of clubs is driven out, this contract might be defeated. Can you do anything about it? Yes! Win the ace of spades and drive out the ace of clubs before the ace of hearts is driven out. Count your tricks: you will have four clubs, three diamonds and two major-suit aces.

“Why risk a vulnerable game contract for a couple of overtricks? If you are playing matchpoints, it is a slam dunk to play low as two overtricks look very likely. The Rule of 11 tells you that East has only one spade higher than the six, so chances are that it is not the king. Besides, if you go down in this contract, you will have plenty of company as other declarers will be similarly tempted.”

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

2012 Tribune Media Services