BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Both vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

xJ 8 2

u10 6 5 3

vQ 8

wA K Q 2

WEST EAST

x9 7 6 xQ 10 3

uA J 9 uQ 4 2

v9 6 4 3 vJ 10 7 5 2

wJ 7 5 w8 4

SOUTH

xA K 5 4

uK 8 7

vA K

w10 9 6 3

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

Pass Pass 1NT Pass

2w Pass 2x Pass

3NT Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Six of v

Barring special knowledge, basically all finesses are equal — they have a 50 percent of succeeding. But that does not mean it makes no difference, given a choice, which you should take. There are many factors that might cause you to favor one over the others. Consider this deal.

The auction is straightforward. After South opened one no trump, North correctly checked on the possibility of a 4-4 heart fit. When South denied a four-card heart suit, North proceeded to three no trump.

West led the second- highest from a worthless suit, and it proved a problem for South. With eight fast winners, the ninth could come from finding either queen of spades or ace of hearts well placed.

The duplication of values in diamonds meant that choosing the wrong finesse would enable the defenders to remove declarer’s remaining stopper in the suit, and South would not be able to surrender the lead again. Which suit should South tackle, and why?

You must go after spades. If you try hearts and it loses, you will be defeated. But if the jack of spades loses to the queen, you can still get home if the suit breaks 3-3.

That is the case here and the 13th spade becomes the fulfilling trick.

2013 Tribune Media Services