BRIDGE

BRIDGE

East-West vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xQ 8 6

uQ 8 7

vA K Q J 10

w6 5

WEST EAST

xA K J 7 4 x9 3

u6 5 4 uJ 3

vVoid v8 7 6 5 2

wK Q 10 8 4 w9 7 3 2

SOUTH

x10 5 2

uA K 10 9 2

v9 4 3

wA J

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u 1x 2v Pass

2u3w 4u Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Ace of x (Ace from A K)

The normal way to handle a major-minor two-suiter with opening-bid values after RHO opens is to overcall in the major, then bid the minor — at the three-level if you’re lucky. Playing Michaels cue-bids, if the opening bid is one heart or one spade, a cue-bid of opener’s major shows five cards in the other major along with five or six cards in the unknown minor. The range is 8-11 or 15-plus high-card points. “Tweeners” with 12-14 HCP (the West hand) bid both suits.

East plays high-low in spades to show a doubleton. West knows that East can ruff the third spade. When giving partner a ruff with a choice of cards, the size of the card returned is considered suit preference and asks for a particular return. A low card (in this case a low spade) asks for the lower-ranking side suit (clubs), a high spade asks for the higher-ranking side suit (diamonds). West wants a diamond return, so continues with the jack of spades at trick three. It is not for East to reason why, it is for East to do or die. East ruffs the jack of spades and returns a diamond, which West ruffs — the only defense to defeat the contract.

As declarer, you just have to hope that they don’t find this defense! Also, if you and partner somehow managed to land in three no trump, you have just won the gold medal!

2012 Tribune Media Services