bridge

bridge

Neither vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

xK Q J 10 4

uQ 5 3

vJ 10 7 5

wA

WEST EAST

x8 3 2 x9 6

u9 7 6 4 uA 10 2

vK Q 3 2 vA 4

w9 4 wK 10 8 6 5 3

SOUTH

xA 7 5

uK J 8

v9 8 6

wQ J 7 2

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1x 2w 2NT Pass

3NT Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Nine of w

Those rubrics you learn when you start playing bridge are right more often than wrong, but they are not holy writ. Consider this deal from a Senior Swiss event.

At both tables North-South carefully avoided playing game in their 5-3 major fit in favor of three no trump. At both tables the opening was won in dummy perforce. At one table declarer continued with the queen of hearts, ducked by East, who won the heart continuation. Here, East cashed the ace of diamonds and king of clubs, then reverted to a diamond. The defenders took two more diamond tricks — down one.

At the other table declarer continued with a low diamond, and East played “second hand low.” Now the defenders could score only four of their five tricks since the diamonds were blocked and the contract rolled home.

In all fairness, it is difficult to blame East. We could construct several hands where the duck at trick two would be the key to a good defense.

2012 Tribune Media Services