bridge

bridge

Neither vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xQ 9 7 2

uJ 6

vA 9 7 4

wK J 5

WEST EAST

x6 xK J 4

u7 5 3 2 uQ 9 4

vJ 6 vK Q 5 3 2

wA Q 10 9 7 3 w6 4

SOUTH

xA 10 8 5 3

uA K 10 8

v10 8

w8 2

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x Pass 2NT Pass

3x Pass 4x Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Two of u

Pre-empts can be dangerous. However, like the little girl with a little curl, when they are good they are very, very good, but when they are bad they are horrid.

This deal is from the Trials to select a U.S. team for the world championship a while back.

This was the auction with Rodwell and Meckstroth sitting North-South.

With no interference, they reached four spades in short order. With nothing to guide him, when the opening lead picked off East’s queen of hearts, declarer continued with the ace of trumps and another.

East won and shifted to the king of diamonds, and the defenders collected two trumps and a trick in each minor — down one.

At the other table West made a weak jump overcall of three clubs.

North elected to ignore the major-suit fit in favor of three no trump. Hamman led the six of clubs, won with the ace, and shifted to the jack of diamonds, taken with the ace.

Declarer elected to play the overcaller’s partner for the spade honors and led the queen from hand. He lost one spade, two diamonds and a club for a game swing.

2012 Tribune Media Services