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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