bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. East deals.

NORTH

xA 6 5

uQ J 10 7

vA 2

wA Q 6 4

WEST EAST

xK 9 8 2 x7 4 3

uK 8 5 u9 6

v9 5 4 3 vJ 10 8 7 6

wK 2 w10 9 7

SOUTH

xQ J 10

uA 4 3 2

vK Q

wJ 8 5 3

The bidding:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

Pass 1NT Pass 2x

Pass 3w Pass 6w

Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Two of x

Knowing your opponent can be important. Consider this deal from a national pair championship.

North’s two-spade response promised hearts and a four-card minor. South bid his minor in response and the club slam was reached in quick time.

West led a fourth-best spade, won in the closed hand with the queen. Declarer led a low club to the queen, West following with the deuce as East dropped the nine. How should declarer proceed?

If you don’t know your opponents, best is to play East for 10 9 doubleton and return to hand with a diamond to lead the jack of trumps, picking up his majesty while pinning East’s ten and landing the slam.

However, declarer knew that East was a top internationalist and that no such deduction could be drawn from the play of the nine. Instead, declarer continued with the ace of clubs, picking up the king and bringing home 12 tricks to land the slam for a top board.

2012 Tribune Media Services