BRIDGE

BRIDGE

North-South vulnerable. West deals.

NORTH

xJ 7 6 4 2

u9

vA K Q J 9 3

w3

WEST EAST

xA xQ 9 8 3

uA K 7 6 5 2 uJ 10 4

v6 5 2 v10

w9 4 2 wK Q 10 8 7

SOUTH

xK 10 5

uQ 8 3

v8 7 4

wA J 6 5

The bidding:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

1u 2u 3u 3x

Pass 4x Pass Pass

Pass

Opening lead: King of u

“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury:

“Our case against Mr. Smith is largely circumstantial. However, we feel sure that, once you hear the facts, our claim for damages will be upheld.

“After my client, Mr. West, had opened the bidding, North made a Michaels’ cue-bid of two hearts to show spades and a minor suit. After Ms. East raised to three hearts, South bid three spades and, since that bid had to show values at this vulnerability, Mr. North proceeded to game.

“The opening lead was the king of hearts, which held, and the shift was to the nine of clubs, declarer capturing the queen with the ace. Now the defendant led the five of spades from hand and my client had to win with the bare ace! Thereafter it was a simple matter for declarer to get to dummy with a ruff, finesse the ten of spades, cash the king and run diamonds until Ms. East ruffed for the defense’s third and last trick.

“Obviously, declarer had to have prior knowledge of the deal to make such an unusual play. At the very least, defendant had to have peeked at my client’s hand!”

“If only learned Counsel’s bridge was equal to his eloquence! The major threat to the contract was a 4-1 trump break. The play to the second trick had marked East with the king and queen of clubs, so that defender held at most, the queen of trumps. The low spade lead by the defendant was a necessary safety play to maintain trump control.”

“Defendant is hereby found innocent and invited to a game of bridge this evening at the club!”

2013 Tribune Media Services