BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Neither vulnerable, West deals.

NORTH

x4

uA 8 6 4

vK J

wA Q J 10 4 2

WEST EAST

xA J 10 9 5 2 x7 6 3

uJ 10 9 2 uQ 7

vQ v9 8 7 6 2

w8 6 wK 7 3

SOUTH

xK Q 8

uK 5 3

vA 10 5 4 3

w9 5

The bidding:

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

2x 3w Pass 3NT

All pass

Opening lead: Jack of x

Today’s deal is from a high-stakes rubber bridge game in New York City. South was Jack Dreyfuss, in his 90s at the time that he played this hand.

There was no point in ducking the opening lead, so Dreyfuss won it in his hand with the king. Had Dreyfuss taken the club finesse at trick two, he would have finished down two, losing five spades and a club.

Dreyfuss was in no hurry to play on clubs. He decided to first play on diamonds, planning to lead low to the king and then run the jack. Should he get lucky and find diamonds 3-3 with the queen onside, he would have nine tricks without the club finesse. His spade holding would be protected and he could always take the club finesse later. When the queen of diamonds appeared, declarer had some other options.

South won the king of diamonds, cashed the jack as West shed a club, and crossed to his hand with the king of hearts. The ace of diamonds saw a spade from West and a club from dummy, but West had no answer when Dreyfuss cashed the 10 of diamonds. Another spade and Dreyfuss could safely set up the clubs. A heart and the fourth heart in dummy could be established. A club discard and Dreyfuss could cash the ace of clubs and play two rounds of hearts to West, who could cash another heart, but would then have to give Dreyfuss the queen of spades. Bravo Jack Dreyfuss!

2016 Tribune Content Agency