BRIDGE

Both declarers on this deal from match play must have read the same article on deceptive play, for they both tried the same ruse. It worked for only one of them.

The bidding and early play was the same at both tables - something of a rarity! South opened One Club, West overcalled with One Spade, and North raised to Three clubs. Now South tried Three No-trumps, all passed and West led the king of spades to the two, four and - wait for it! - the jack.

Can you see the point of this? If the club finesse is right, there are no problems whatever you do. But if it is wrong, then winning with the ace may well have fatal results. If, instead, South holds off by playing the seven, there is the new danger of a switch to hearts instead of a naive spade continuation.

When declarer drops the jack on the first trick, it must look to West as though South has started with ]AJ alone and he will surely be tempted to continue the suit. One West did just that but now, after winning the second spade, declarer could take the club finesse in complete safety. Very neat!

The other West thought about it a little more - perhaps he had read the same article? He asked himself why, if South held ]AJ alone, East had played the four from his supposed holding of ]743? Coming to the right conclusion, he switched to the king of hearts to defeat the contract.

LOVE ALL: dealer South

North

] 8 6 2

_ 10 5 4

+ K 5

[ A J 10 7 3

West East

] K Q 10 9 5 ] 4 3

_ K Q 3 _ J 9 8 7

+ 9 7 6 2 + 10 8 4 3

[ 2 [ K 8 5

South

] A J 7

_ A 6 2

+ A Q J

[ Q 9 6 4