BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Both vulnerable, South deals

NORTH

x10 8

uA 8 2

vA 8 7

wK J 4 3 2

WEST EAST

xJ 6 xQ 9 5 4 3 2

uJ 10 7 3 u6 5 4

vJ 10 3 2 vK 5

wA 10 6 wQ 7

SOUTH

xA K 7

uK Q 9

vQ 9 6 4

w9 8 5

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v Pass 2w Pass

2NT Pass 3NT All pass

Opening lead: Three of u

Rubber bridge players, in general, show disdain for overtricks and will vilify an opponent that goes after them. Overtricks in duplicate bridge are very important and declarers will make every effort to try for them.

South won the opening heart lead in his hand with the king and led a low club to dummy’s jack, losing to the queen. East shifted to a low spade, won by declarer with the ace. A low club went to the 10 and king, and a third round of clubs set up the rest of the suit. West continued with the jack of spades to South’s king. Declarer crossed to dummy with the ace of hearts and cashed the remaining clubs. East discarded three spades on the long clubs and South two diamonds.

The contract was assured at this point with two spades, three hearts, a diamond and three clubs. Could declarer find an overtrick? South reasoned that East would not have discarded three spades unless he was protecting something in diamonds, so he crossed back to his hand with the queen of hearts and exited with his remaining spade. Success! East won with his queen and was forced to lead a diamond away from his king. Making four and a great result!

We are saddened to report that Tannah Hirsch, who wrote this column for some 40 years, passed away on Oct. 6.

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