bridge

bridge

North-South vulnerable. East deals.

NORTH

xJ 7 6 5

uA K 5 2

v9 7 4

wJ 10

WEST EAST

x10 9 2 xA Q 8 4

u9 7 6 3 uJ 8

vA J 6 v10 8 5 3

wA Q 7 w9 5 2

SOUTH

xK 3

uQ 10 4

vK Q 2

wK 8 6 4 3

The bidding:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

Pass 1w Pass 1u

Pass 1NT Pass Pass

Pass

Opening lead: Three of u

This is a deal from the final of the Senior Knockout Teams a while back. The auction was the same at the two tables.

Declarer won the opening lead in hand and led a low club, West winning with the queen. The ten of spades was returned, ducked to the king, and declarer persevered with clubs and ended up losing six tricks — three spades, one diamond and two clubs.

At the other table West found the more enterprising lead of the ten of spades, run to the king as East played low. A low club was taken by West’s queen, East following with the nine to stress the need for a spade continuation. Declarer played low from dummy, East overtook with the queen and shifted to a low diamond. When declarer played the king, East won with the ace and continued with the knave.

South allowed the jack to win and took the diamond continuation to lead a club. West won with the ace and led a spade through dummy’s J-7, and West took two spade tricks and the diamond ten. In all the defenders collected three spades, three diamonds and two clubs for down two. This put them on the way to win the match and the title.

2012 Tribune Media Services