In an important match, you open 2 No Trump and partner raises to 3 No Trump

AK10
AQ2
K753
A83

J92
9743
A9
9652        

The King of Clubs is led: four nines, wonderful just we you needed (where were they the other night in the poker game?) You count your tricks, 2 Spades 1 Heart 2 Diamonds 1 Club. Six tricks with little hope for more than seven if the Heart King is onside. You duck the King of Clubs lead hoping for a major suit shift, but they shift to a diamond. You win the King in hand, and with nothing better to do you lead a low Heart from your hand. Left hand opponent wins the Jack and perserves with another Diamond, Dummy’s Ace winning. You now lead a Heart to the Queen which holds, cash the Heart Ace, (the suit splitting 3-3) and play the Ace and a small Club both following as Left Hand Opponent wins the trick. Down to nothing but 4 small spades they lead a high spot, and you call for dummy’s 9. This is covered by the Spade Queen! and you win the King, cash the Ace and lead the 10 to dummy’s Jack to cash the good 9 of Clubs and the good 9 of Hearts. Making with an overtrick!! Those nines DID come into play! Of course if opponent had played LOW on the Spade 9 you would have to overtake with your 10 and surrender 2 small Diamonds at the end. TIS THE CHRISTMAS SEASON    

Fred Hamilton is available for private lessons in person or on the computer, a great way to bring your bridge game up to a new level. 702-804 5342.