bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. East deals.

NORTH

xQ 10 7 6

uK J 10 5

vJ 8 6 5

wJ

WEST EAST

x9 3 xJ 8 4 2

uA Q 6 2 u7 4

vK 4 v10 9 2

wA 10 5 4 3 wK Q 8 2

SOUTH

xA K 5

u9 8 3

vA Q 7 3

w9 7 6

The bidding:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

Pass 1v Pass 1u

Pass 1NT Pass Pass

Pass

Opening lead: Four of w

If you want to encourage or discourage the suit partner has led, it’s simple enough. But what if you want to switch? How can you tell him which of the other two suits to lead? Consider this deal from the Edgar Kaplan Blue Ribbon Pairs at the recent ACBL Fall North American Championship held in Seattle.

North’s decision to pass one no trump rather than correct to two diamonds is at best questionable. West leads fourth-best of his longest suit, covered by the jack and taken with the queen as declarer follows with the six. The deuce of clubs is returned to nine and ten, and back comes the three to East’s king. When West allows the eight of clubs to hold, East must decide to which suit to switch — spades or diamonds.

West must provide the help. For the answer, go back to trick two. Since he knows from the play that East holds the king of clubs, he could have won with the ace or with the ten. So, if he wants a spade returned, he wins with the higher of the two, the ace, and if he wants a diamond, he wins with the lower club. So return a diamond and the contract must fail.

2012 Tribune Media Services