BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Neither vulnerable, East deals.

NORTH

xK 10 9 8 6

uA K Q 2

v2

wJ 4 2

WESTEAST

x3xA J 4 2

u9 3uJ 7

vA Q 7 6 5 4 3vJ 10 9

uQ 7 5 uK 10 9 6

SOUTH

xQ 7 5

u10 8 6 5 4

vK 8

uA 8 3

The bidding:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

Pass Pass 3D Dbl

4v 4u All pass

Opening lead: Three of v

Some players will always lead a singleton when they have one. Experts will give the lead careful consideration. Even if a singleton lead enables the leader to get a ruff, damage might have been done to partner’s holding in the suit. Also, declarer’s side suit may have been set up in the process for important discards. It might be better to just go after your tricks.

Today’s deal is from a team competition. At this table, on the information available to him, West’s lead of his singleton spade was perfectly reasonable. West was successful in getting a ruff, but the defense had to settle for the ace of diamonds after that. The spades had been set up for club discards.

East at the other table was more enterprising in the auction. Rather than just raising diamonds, he decided to make a lead-directing bid in a side suit. This could not be misinterpreted, as he was a passed hand and couldn’t possibly have a suit good enough to suggest as trumps. He chose to bid four clubs, reasoning that his ace of spades would always take a trick while the defense might have to start on clubs early to develop a trick or two there.

West at this table followed his partner’s plan, and led a low club rather than his singleton. This was the killer, as the defense now had two club tricks to go with their two aces and the contract was defeated. Nice bid!

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