BRIDGE

BRIDGE

East-West vulnerable, North deals

NORTH

xA 6 2

uJ 6 2

vJ 8

wA K 8 4 3

WEST EAST

x9 8 xQ 10 4

u10 9 8 4 uK Q 5

vA 10 9 6 4 2 vK 5 3

w9 wJ 10 7 5

SOUTH

xK J 7 5 3

uA 7 3

vQ 7

wQ 6 2

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1w Pass 1x Pass

2x Pass 4x All pass

Opening lead: 10 of u

When the dummy comes down and the contract looks to be an easy one, a good player will give it a little more thought. Anticipating potential problems and finding a safe way to deal with them is a skill that all bridge players should cultivate.

On today’s deal, should the trumps split 3-2 with the queen onside, and the clubs also split 3-2, then declarer will romp home with 11 tricks. As you can see, a declarer who draws all of the trumps and then goes after clubs will be defeated. A favorable trump position is required to make the contract, but some 4-1 splits in clubs can be overcome.

A 5-0 split in clubs would doom the contract no matter what, so the correct line is to win the opening heart lead in hand and lead a low club to the ace. A low spade to the jack is the next play, as declarer needs a 3-2 split with the queen in the East hand. When the jack holds the trick, cash the king of spades and leave the last trump outstanding for the moment. Cash the queen of clubs. Should both opponents follow suit, draw the last trump and claim your 11 tricks. Should East ruff the queen of clubs, you will finish down two instead of down one, but you could never have made the contract. When West is the player who has no more clubs, lead a club to the king and ruff a club, establishing the long club in dummy. A spade to the ace will draw the last trump and you will emerge proudly with 10 tricks!

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