BRIDGE

BRIDGE

North-South vulnerable, East deals.

NORTH

xK Q 3

uA 4

v10 9 4 2

w9 8 6 2

WEST EAST

x8 7 5 xVoid

u2 uQ J 10 9 7 5 3

vA K 3 vJ 7 6 5

wA Q 10 5 4 3 wJ 7

SOUTH

xA J 10 9 6 4 2

uK 8 6

vQ 8

wK

The bidding:

EASTSOUTHWESTNORTH

4u 4x All pass

Opening lead: Two of u

South was pleased with the dummy he caught. There were nine top tricks and a tenth could easily come from a heart ruff in the dummy. That would require a 2-1 split in trumps, as the opening lead was an obvious singleton. Should the trumps split 3-0, with West holding three, the diamonds would have to provide the tenth trick.

In order to preserve a late entry to dummy, should it be needed, declarer won the opening heart lead in his hand with the king. He led a low trump to the board’s king and was not surprised when East showed out -- why should this be his lucky day? South next led a low diamond and inserted his eight when East played low. West won with his king and led a trump, won by South with his jack.

The queen of diamonds was led to West’s ace, and West exited with another trump. Dummy won this trick and led the 10 of diamonds. South had a crucial decision to make when East played low. Was everything as it appeared to be or had West made the excellent play of winning the first diamond with the king despite holding the jack? South decided that if West had made a play that good, he deserved a handshake. Playing East for the jack, South discarded a heart and claimed his contract when that held the trick. Well played!

Note that had South not left the ace of hearts in dummy, East could defeat the contract by covering the 10 of diamonds.

2016 Tribune Content Agency