BRIDGE

East-west vulnerable, South deals NORTH

O Q 7 4

N J 6 5

M 9 6 4

L K 10 5 3

WEST

O J 10 8 5

N K Q 10

M K 3

L J974 these numbers, will usually base their play on these percentages. Sometimes, however, an expert will throw the percentages out and play for the lie of the cards that is required for him to be successful.

South won the opening heart lead with the ace and he did not like his chances. Even if the missing trumps split 3-2, he would still need four club tricks to make his contract. He started by cashing the ace and king of spades. Had the spades split 3-2 he would have drawn the last trump and tried to bring home the club suit. The bad split in trumps gave him an extra loser so he started on clubs right away.

South cashed the ace and queen of clubs and led his last club toward the dummy. He realized that a 3-3 club split would spell certain defeat. He could discard a loser on the fourth club, but West would be able to ruff and cash three red-suit tricks for down one. South needed a 4-2 club split so he played dummy’s 10 of clubs. Success! He discarded a heart on the fourth club as West followed suit. South then ruffed a heart, crossed to dummy with the queen of spades, and ruffed another heart. He had taken the first 10 tricks and conceded the last three to the defense.

Well played!