Neither vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
S-K J 10 9 8 5
H-Void
D-K 10 6
C-Q 7 6 4
WEST EAST
S-A S-7 4
H-A K 10 7 6 H-Q 9 4 2
D-J 7 3 D-A Q 9 8 5 2
C-9 8 5 2 C-3
SOUTH
S-Q 6 3 2
` H-J 8 5 3
D-4
C-A K J 10
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1C 1H 3H 4H
4S Pass Pass 5D
5S Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: Three of D
This deal from the Trials to select the two teams to represent the U.S. in the upcoming World Championships is a classic lesson hand. Sitting East and making the key bid was Hailong Ao.
After South's one club opening and West's overcall of one heart, North's jump to three hearts showed long spades and invitational values. Ao intended to sacrifice over four spades but, instead of simply bidding five hearts, he made the lead-directing bid of five diamonds. South's five spades ended the auction.
West duly led a diamond. Ao won with the queen and shifted to his singleton club. Declarer won it in dummy with the queen and led a trump. West won and returned a club, netting a well-deserved one-trick set. At the other table five spades was made after a heart lead, and Ao's team picked up 11 imps.
(Tannah Hirsch welcomes readers' responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Media Services Inc., 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY. 14207. E-mail responses may be sent to gorenbridge@aol.com.)
NORTH
S-K J 10 9 8 5
H-Void
D-K 10 6
C-Q 7 6 4
WEST EAST
S-A S-7 4
H-A K 10 7 6 H-Q 9 4 2
D-J 7 3 D-A Q 9 8 5 2
C-9 8 5 2 C-3
SOUTH
S-Q 6 3 2
` H-J 8 5 3
D-4
C-A K J 10
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1C 1H 3H 4H
4S Pass Pass 5D
5S Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: Three of D
This deal from the Trials to select the two teams to represent the U.S. in the upcoming World Championships is a classic lesson hand. Sitting East and making the key bid was Hailong Ao.
After South's one club opening and West's overcall of one heart, North's jump to three hearts showed long spades and invitational values. Ao intended to sacrifice over four spades but, instead of simply bidding five hearts, he made the lead-directing bid of five diamonds. South's five spades ended the auction.
West duly led a diamond. Ao won with the queen and shifted to his singleton club. Declarer won it in dummy with the queen and led a trump. West won and returned a club, netting a well-deserved one-trick set. At the other table five spades was made after a heart lead, and Ao's team picked up 11 imps.
(Tannah Hirsch welcomes readers' responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Media Services Inc., 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY. 14207. E-mail responses may be sent to gorenbridge@aol.com.)
