BRIDGE

BRIDGE

North-South vulnerable, North deals.

NORTH

xA 4

u9 7 4

vA K Q 2

wK Q 9 4

WEST EAST

xJ 10 6 5 3 xK 9 7 2

u8 5 3 uA Q J 10 6

v10 7 v5

w8 6 3 wA 10 5

SOUTH

xQ 8

uK 2

vJ 9 8 6 4 3

wJ 7 2

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1v 1u 2v Pass

2u Pass 2NT Pass

3NT All pass

Opening lead: Five of u

North’s two-heart cue bid asked for a stopper in hearts, and South admitted to having one. This led to the poor three no trump contract when five diamonds, played by North, would have been easier. Perhaps a bit lucky, but it was there for the taking.

A spade lead would have scuttled the contract, but West reasonably led his partner’s suit. East played the 10 of hearts at trick one and South won his king. Declarer might have crossed to dummy and tried to sneak a club through East for his ninth trick, but it would be silly for East to allow this to happen.

South decided to try running his long suit and hope for the best. East had to make five discards. The first four were easy, two spades and two clubs, but the fifth discard was impossible. Should he discard a heart, declarer can safely knock out the ace of clubs. East decided to shed another low spade instead, hoping declarer would get the position wrong. South made no mistake and led a spade to the ace, dropping the king, and the queen of spades became his ninth trick. Well done!

It’s interesting to note that running the long suit would have worked just as well had East held both the king and queen of spades and South held the doubleton jack. Amazing things can happen when you run your long suit.

2016 Tribune Content Agency