GIVE DECLARER A LOSING OPTION

George Lois, an award-winning art director, said, "Creativity can solve almost any problem. The creative act, the defeat of habit by originality, overcomes everything."

Some bridge experts are creative, making astonishing plays from time to time. Jeff Meckstroth, Zia Mahmood and Benito Garozzo come to mind. See if you can find an imaginative play in this deal. What happens in four spades after West cashes two top clubs, then shifts to a heart, and East wins with his ace before exiting with a heart?

South's two-club rebid was New Minor Forcing, announcing at least game-invitational values and asking partner to describe his hand further. When North showed three-card spade support, South went for game in that suit.

When West led the club ace, East played the two, a count signal showing an odd number of clubs. Then, under the club king, East dropped the nine, a suit-preference signal for hearts. (His highest club asked for the higher-ranking of the other two side suits.)

Declarer must avoid a trump loser. He intends to play low to his queen and cash the ace, hoping that East has exactly kingdoubleton.

It looks as though South is about to get lucky. But West can muddy the waters. When declarer plays a spade to his queen, West must follow suit with the nine (or 10), trying hard to look like someone who started

bridge

DOWN 1 Mend with stitches 2 Foot cover 3 Weapons 4 State of unconsciousness 5 Opponent 7 To no avail 9 Pottery coating 11 Map 12 Intermingle 15 Gemstone 16 Song for two 17 Strongbox 18 Nervous

with 10-nine doubleton.

If South believes West, he will cross to the board with a diamond and lead the spade jack, hoping to pin West's 10 (or nine). Here, though, he will go down one.

Copyright United Feature Syndicate (Asia Features)