bridge

bridge

Neither vulnerable. East deals.

NORTH

xJ 3

uQ 7

vA Q 10 9 4 3 2

wK J

WEST EAST

x8 5 2 xK Q

u5 4 2 uK J 6

vK J 8 5 v7 6

w7 6 5 wA 10 9 4 3 2

SOUTH

xA 10 9 7 6 4

uA 10 9 8 3

vVoid

wQ 8

The bidding:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1w 1x Pass 2v

Pass 2u Pass 3NT

Pass 4u Pass 4x

Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Two of w

This deal is from the first semifinal session of the von Zedtwitz Life Master Pairs at the recent ACBL Summer North American Championships held in Philadelphia. Should four spades be defeated or should it make after the lead of a low club?

At most of the tables, a club was led to the jack and ace and, at most tables, East shifted to a trump — an attractive play, but not good enough. Try it.

Better is to simply return a club, a defense found by Glenn Milgrim, among others. Declarer won and led the queen of hearts to the king and ace, and then tried to sneak a heart through by returning the three of hearts to the seven. East won with the jack and reverted to clubs, declarer ruffing on the table. The jack of spades was covered by the king and won with the ace and East perforce won the spade ten continuation.

Now a fourth round of clubs promoted the eight of spades to the setting trick. Defeating the contract one trick was good enough to score 76 of the possible 90 available on the board.

2012 Tribune Media Services