BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Neither vulnerable, East deals.

NORTH

x9 2

u5 3 2

vA K J 10 7

wA K 9

WEST EAST

xQ 10 5 3 x7 6

u10 9 8 7 uA K Q J 6

v6 5 v4 3 2

w6 3 2 wQ J 10

SOUTH

xA K J 8 4

u4

vQ 9 8

w8 7 5 4

The bidding:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1u 1x Pass 2u

Pass 2x Pass 4x

All pass

Opening lead: 10 of u

North-South had a mix-up in the auction. North wasn’t sure that a two-diamond bid would be forcing, so he cue bid two hearts, trying to show a strong hand. South thought North was showing an invitational hand with a spade fit, so he rebid two spades to show a minimum overcall. North thought South was showing a six-card suit and raised to four spades. Problems in the auction can sometimes be overcome in the play. When you look at both hands, there is no better game for North-South than four spades. South needs to be aware that they have landed in a pretty good spot and play the hand carefully.

The defense started with two rounds of hearts, South ruffing the second round. The normal play in the trump suit is to take a finesse for the queen. Should this lose, the defense will play another heart. South might survive if he discards a club on the third heart and finds the spades splitting 3-3, but why risk that.

The correct play on this deal is to cash the ace and king of spades, then start running the diamonds. The opponents will score both of their spades, but the contract is assured. The defense cannot prevent declarer from discarding two clubs on the good diamonds. This line of play will even pick up an overtrick when the queen of spades is doubleton. Not bad after an accident in the auction.

2016 Tribune Content Agency