bridge

bridge

North-South vulnerable. West deals.

NORTH

xK J 8 2

uJ 9 7 2

vA 10

w8 7 3

WEST EAST

x10 7 5 xQ 9

uQ 8 u10 4 3

vK Q 9 8 6 5 v7 3 2

wK 6 wQ J 10 9 2

SOUTH

xA 6 4 3

uA K 6 5

vJ 4

wA 5 4

The bidding:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

2v Pass 3v Dbl

Pass 4v Pass 4u

Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: King of v

This deal is from the Morehead Grand National Teams at the recent ACBL Summer North American Championships in Philadelphia. Sitting South was Michael Schreiber of Fowler, Calif.

West’s two-diamond opening bid was weakish, three diamonds was a nuisance raise and double was for takeout. North cue-bid to show both majors and South bid game in his stronger four-card major,

Declarer won the opening lead with the ace, cashed the ace and king of hearts, fetching the queen, and drew the last trump with the knave. Now the ten of diamonds was led to the jack and queen. West exited safely with the king of clubs, ducked by declarer who won the club six continuation with the ace.

West could now likely be counted with six diamonds, two clubs and two hearts, hence three spades, and East was 2-3-3-5. That made the game a sure thing.

Declarer cashed the ace and king of spades, dropping the queen, and claimed 10 tricks.

What if the queen did not drop? Declarer would have thrown West on lead with her majesty and the defender would have had to present declarer with a ruff-sluff for the fulfilling trick.

2012 Tribune Media Services