BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

x6 3 2

uQ 6

vA 9 3

wQ 10 7 4 3

WEST EAST

x7 x8 5 4

uA K J 8 7 5 u10 3

vQ 7 6 2 vJ 10 8

wK 8 wJ 9 6 5 2

SOUTH

xA K Q J 10 9

u9 4 2

vK 5 4

wA

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x 2u 2x Pass

4x Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: King of u

The bidding is routine. North should not count two points for the queen of hearts — the auction suggests strongly that it is worthless.

West starts with king and ace of hearts, East echoing to show a doubleton, and continues with the jack. Since it would be futile to ruff in dummy, declarer discards a diamond loser from the table, as does East.

Declarer had intended to switch red-suit losers, but East’s discard puts paid to that plan. That leaves just one hope remaining — that East started with four diamonds or only two trumps.

No luck. No matter how declarer continues, he will either lose an overruff or a diamond. Another good contract ruined by an unlucky distribution. Get on with the next deal!

2013 Tribune Media Services