bridge

bridge

Neither vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

x10 8 7 3

uA 8 7 4

vJ 10

wJ 9 3

WEST EAST

xQ 9 2 x6

uQ 10 uJ 9 6 3

vQ 8 5 3 vK 9 6 4 2

wK 7 6 4 w10 8 2

SOUTH

xA K J 5 4

uK 5 2

vA 7

wA Q 5

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

2NT Pass 3wPass

3x Pass 4x Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Three of v

This deal is from the Spingold Knockout Teams at the recent ACBL Summer North American Championships in Philadelphia. See if you can do as well as Philipe Soulet of Paris on this deal.

A standard Stayman auction allowed South to become declarer at four spades. West’s fourth-best diamond lead fetched the king and ace, and declarer cashed the king and ace of trumps to learn about the trump loser. How would you continue?

Declarer cashed the ace and king of hearts, noting West’s two honors, then exited with a diamond. West won and could cash his spade winner, but had no safe continuation. At the table he elected to switch to a club. Declarer won, forced out the jack of hearts and the eight of hearts was a parking spot for his club loser.

Note that Soulet’s line would have succeeded as long as West had no more than two hearts. Declarer could also have cashed the ace of clubs and then thrown West on lead with the king of clubs to endplay him. West would have to yield a ruff-sluff and allow declarer to get rid of his heart loser.

2012 Tribune Media Services