Source:IBPAColumn Service AUG 2022Tim Bourke**Source: wikipedia:Tim Bourke “is an Australian bridge player and writer. His joint project with Justin Corfield “the Art of Declarer Play” won the International Bridge Press Book of the Year award in 2014.IMPs Dealer South. Both Vul
J 5 4
K 6 5 3
9 7 3
K Q 10
A Q 2
A J 4
A 8 6 4
A J 9
West
North
East
South
2NT
Pass
3NT
Pass
Pass
Pass
Opening lead:7
With his square shape, North opted to bid a direct three notrump rather than investigate the possibility of a four-four heart fit and tell the defense more about the North/South hands.
West led a fourth-highest seven of spades, which declarer ran to his queen, taking East’s nine. South counted eight tricks and judged that the best hope for a ninth was in hearts. So, at trick two, he led the four of hearts to dummy’s king and the three of hearts back toward his hand. East’s low club discard was obviously unwelcome news. Declarer played the jack of hearts from his hand to mark time. West won with the queen and returned a heart to declarer’s now-bare ace.
Declarer paused to consider his options. West was marked with five hearts and might have led that suit if he had held only four spades. So, West likely began with five-five or six-five in the major suits. The best hope was that he held the king-to-five or -six spades along with at most one diamond. So, declarer cashed the ace and king of clubs followed by the ace of diamonds, noting that West had followed to all three cards.
Declarer crossed to dummy with a club to the queen and led dummy’s remaining heart, discarding a diamond from hand. West was able to take two heart tricks, but then had to lead a spade; declarer called for dummy’s jack and, when it held, it was the ninth trick.
The complete deal:
J 5 4
K 6 5 3
9 7 3
K Q 10
