Source: IBPA Column Service Feb. 2019 Dealer South. E/W Vul
5 J 9 4 2 A Q J 6 5 3 J 5
10 8 6 4 3 A K 10 8 Q 9 8 3 A 9 7 2 10 7 6 5 9 K 10 6 2
K Q J K Q 8 3 7 4 2 A 7 4
West North East South
1NT
Pass 2 Pass 2
Pass 4 End
The bidding was the same at both tables in a team match and each declarer received the lead of a fourth-highest three of clubs. Both declarers played the jack from dummy and both Easts covered it with the king. Since neither declarer wanted a diamond shift at this point, they both won the first trick with the ace of clubs and led a low trump.
Tim Bourke
Tim Bourke
After winning with the ace of trumps, both Wests exited with the eight of clubs to East’s ten. The continuations were the same at both tables too: the ace of spades, then the two of clubs. At the first table, declarer ruffed the third club in the dummy, then drew trumps with the jack, king and ace. After cashing the king and queen of spades, declarer led a low diamond to the queen. Alas, East discarded a spade on the ace of diamonds and declarer conceded a diamond trick for a one-trick set. The declarer at the other table was more careful. He ruffed the third round of clubs with the nine of trumps and continued with the jack of trumps. When East followed low, declarer overtook the jack of hearts with the queen. He was then in the correct hand to take a diamond finesse, which he did. When that succeeded, declarer led dummy’s four of trumps, winning with the eight when East followed with the seven. After drawing the last trump with his king, declarer cashed his spade winners and then led a diamond to the jack. Declarer had the ace of diamonds for his tenth trick. Don’t forget to follow us @

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