BRIDGE

BRIDGE

East-West vulnerable, South deals

NORTH

xK Q 2

uVoid

v10 8 5 3

wK J 6 5 3 2

WEST EAST

xA 8 4 x9 7 3

uA J 9 8 7 3 2 uQ 10 5

vVoid vQ J 9 6

w10 8 4 wQ 9 7

SOUTH

xJ 10 6 5

uK 6 4

vA K 7 4 2

wA

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v 2u 4v Dbl

4u Pass 5w Pass

5v Pass Pass Dbl

All pass

Opening lead: Ace of x

Today’s deal is from a Far East Championship back in the ’60s. South was legendary Australian expert, the late Tim Seres. This is the auction we were given. Should it be mysterious to you, we understand, but there is no one left to ask about it. Let’s just assume that bidding was different 50 years ago in the Far East.

West switched to a club at trick two, won by Seres with the ace perforce. South led the two of diamonds to the eight and East’s nine. Seres ruffed the heart shift in dummy and led the 10 of diamonds to the queen and ace. A spade to the queen was followed by the king of clubs and a club ruff, leaving this position:

NORTH

xK

uVoid

v5

wJ 6 5

WEST EAST

x8 x9

uA J 9 8 uQ 5

vVoid vJ 6

wVoid wVoid

SOUTH

xJ 10

uK

vK 7

wVoid

Seres ruffed the king of hearts in dummy and led the jack of clubs. East was helpless. Should he ruff, Seres would overruff, draw the last trump, and return to dummy with a spade. Should he discard, Seres would discard also. Another gem from a master!

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