BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Both vulnerable, East deals

NORTH

xJ 7

uA Q J 7 2

v9 4 3

wJ 5 4

WEST EAST

x6 5 xQ 10 9 8 4 2

u9 8 4 3 u10

vJ 8 7 2 vA Q 5

w9 6 3 wA Q 2

SOUTH

xA K 3

uK 6 5

vK 10 6

wK 10 8 7

The bidding:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

1x 1NT Pass 2v-

2x Pass Pass 3NT

Pass 4u All pass

-Transfer to hearts

Opening lead: Six of x

North’s three no trump bid gave South a choice between that contract and four hearts. South opted for hearts with a known eight-card fit. Despite normal bidding and full values, there were only seven top tricks. South would have to work hard to get his total up to 10.

The opening spade lead went to the jack, queen, and ace. Declarer got off to a good start when he led a low heart to dummy’s jack and a club back to his 10. He drew three more rounds of trumps ending in dummy and led another low club. This went to the queen and king, followed by another club to East’s ace. East exited with a spade to South’s king, leaving this position:

NORTH

xVoid

u7

v9 4 3

wVoid

WEST EAST

xVoid x9 8

uVoid uVoid

vJ 8 7 2 vA Q

wVoid wVoid

SOUTH

x3

uVoid

vK 10

w8

East had to find a discard on the eight of clubs. Discarding the queen of diamonds would allow South to lead his 10 of diamond to the bare ace and set up the king, so East shed a spade. South now ruffed his spade and safely led a diamond toward the king, emerging with a surprise overtrick. Nicely played!

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