Bridge - August 31

Good defense is often 10 percent inspiration, 15 percent perspiration and 75 percent desperation.

Today's West broke out in a sweat when he saw dummy's A-Q-10 of trumps: West's king was trapped. South took the ace of clubs, let the jack of trumps ride and led another trump; and in desperation, West played the king (the card South knew he held).

South took the ace and thought he saw a safe route to 12 tricks. South could take the ace of hearts, ruff a heart, ruff a club and draw trumps. He would win five trumps, three hearts, a heart ruff, a diamond and two clubs.

12THTRICK

But when South led a heart to his ace, West ruffed and led a diamond. South had to try the finesse for his 12th trick, and down he went.

West's defense was inspired. Say West plays low on the second trump. Dummy's queen wins, but South can't gain by ruffing a heart with the ace. He will draw trumps, ruff a club and go after the diamonds. If he finesses with the ten at some point or catches West in a squeeze, he makes the slam.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S J 9 8 7 3 H A K Q 5 2 D 6 2 C A. South in today's deal opened one spade with this hand. Do you agree?

ANSWER: South's bid was correct. With two five-card suits, open in the higher-ranking. True, the hearts are stronger, but suit quality matters only in extreme cases. With 6 5 4 3 2, A K Q J 10, 6 2, A you could justify treating the spades as a four-card suit and the hearts as a six-carder.