bridge

bridge

North-South vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xA J 6 5

uA Q 9 2

vA 8

w7 4 3

WEST EAST

x7 x4 3

u7 6 uK 8 5 3

vQ J 10 9 2 vK 7 6 5 4

wK Q J 10 8 w9 5

SOUTH

xK Q 10 9 8 2

uJ 10 4

v3

wA 6 2

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x 2NT 3v 5v

5x Pass Pass

Opening lead: King of w

Hold-up plays can be encountered at suit play as well as no trump. The same principles apply to both.

West’s two-no-trump jump overcall showed a minor two-suiter with limited strength. The opponents competed to the five-level and South became declarer at the ugly contract of five spades after North showed a strong spade raise with his three-diamond cue-bid.

West led the king of clubs, and declarer was faced with two club losers and, probably, the king of hearts. If West started with six clubs, declarer would need the heart finesse. More likely it was a five-card suit, so declarer held up the ace of clubs for one round.

After winning the club continuation with the ace, declarer drew trumps and ran the jack of hearts, losing to the king. As expected, East was out of clubs and no matter what he returned, the contract rolled home.

2012 Tribune Media Services