September 2007 - 51

Dlr: South  Q J 10
Vul: Both  K Q J 10 2
43
J64
A9763
85
N
983
A65
W E
 J 10 8
Q972
S
85
 Q 10 9 7
K42
74
AK65
AK32
North
2
3NT

South
1NT
2
Pass

West leads the 6 .
Bidding commentary: South is
allowed to open 1NT with a low
doubleton. If South is the nervous
type, he might consider putting the
A or K in with his hearts.
North transfers to hearts and
then gives partner a choice of game
contracts, 3NT or 4, by showing a
five-card heart suit with a balanced
hand. South, with a low doubleton in
hearts, has no trouble choosing.
Defensive commentary: When
the 10 is played from dummy, East
plays the 8 - count. The third
hand rule is this: If partner leads low
from length and dummy plays the
queen or a lower card that third hand
cannot top, third hand gives count.
The opening leader knows it is count
because third hand normally covers
dummy's card when possible.
Play commentary: As South,
look ahead! To make this contract
you have to bring in the hearts. If
the opponents take the second heart,
where is your entry to the hearts? If
you play a low spade from your hand
at trick one, there is no sure dummy
September 2007

INTERMEDIATE PLAYERS

Chalk Talk
entry in spades to the hearts once
they are established. (West can duck
the K and East has the Q over
the J). If you win the opening lead
with the K (key play), however,
and then drive out the A, you have
a spade entry (Q) to the hearts.
Defensive commentary #2: When
declarer leads up to a strong suit in
dummy missing the ace, the defender
lacking the ace (West in this case)
gives count. Standard count is low
from an odd and high-low from an
even number of cards. When West
plays the 3, East, seeing the 2,
knows West has three hearts (odd)
and South has two. East takes the
second heart, declarer's last.
Dlr: North  6
Vul: None  K 7 3 2
AQ9432
A4
 A 10 8 7 3
Q542
N
 10 8 6
W E QJ9
5
J876
S
8762
K9
KJ9
A54
 K 10
 Q J 10 5 3
North
1
2
Pass

South
2
3NT

West leads the 7.
Bidding Commentary: North has
a borderline reverse into 2 after
the two-level response. As many
play, a reverse (2) after a two-level
response with a 6-4 pattern shows
extras (14-plus high-card points
minimum). South has an easy 3NT
rebid. A 2NT rebid would not be
forcing (unless you play 2/1 forcing
to game).

Eddie Kantar
www.kantarbridge.com
Play Commentary: When East
plays the Q, South knows from the
Rule of 11 that East is playing her
only spade higher than the 7. Subtract
the card led from 11. 7 from 11 = 4.
There are four cards higher than the
7 in the three remaining hands. South
has three, dummy has none so East
has one and it must be the queen. The
Rule of 11 assumes a fourth-highest
lead.
Defensive Commentary: When
East plays the Q, West knows
South has the J. With the Q-J, East
would play the jack, the lower equal.
Play Commentary #2: As South,
after winning the K, you know
West has the A 10 8 (x) and you
also know you can't stand to let East
get in. Your first move is to count your
sure tricks outside of your best suit,
diamonds. You have four - the K,
the A and the A K. Translation:
You need five, not six, diamond tricks
to make 3NT. The best play for five
tricks, at the same time keeping East
at bay (in case East hasJ x x x) is to
cross to the K and lead a diamond
to the 10. If it wins, you have six
diamond tricks and an overtrick. If it
loses, you have five diamond tricks
and your contract. You have just made
an avoidance play to keep the danger
hand, North, from getting in. Cheers.
r
51
http://www.kantarbridge.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September 2007
