BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Neither vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

x10 7 6 4 3

uK 5

vA Q 9 3

w8 6

WEST EAST

xQ 8 5 xA J 9 2

u9 8 4 uJ 7 6

v10 6 2 v8 7

wQ 10 4 2 wA 9 5 3

SOUTH

xK

uA Q 10 3 2

vK J 5 4

wK J 7

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Pass 1x Pass

2v Pass 3v Pass

3NT Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Two of w

The auction is routine. North’s raise of partner’s second suit is invitational, guaranteeing four-card support and some 9-11 high card points. South has an easy three no trump bid to end the auction.

West has an obvious club lead — the unbid suit. Everybody knows West has only four clubs headed by an honor or two. The fate of the contract hinges on East’s defense.

South’s bidding has marked him with five hearts and four diamonds. West’s lead is fourth-best, so East can tell from the opening lead that declarer has three clubs. Simple arithmetic should lead East to the conclusion that declarer has a singleton spade. Simple, isn’t it!

That makes the defense obvious! Take the ace of clubs and shift to the ace of spades, and great is the fall thereon! The rest of the defense is easy. Continue with a low spade to partner’s queen and you score the first five tricks.

Isn’t bridge an easy game?

2013Tribune Media Services