Using all of the information available. Bridge Column for January 2, 2000, By HARVEY BERNSTEIN North-South vulnerable. West deals. NORTH S: A J 10 9 6 2 H: 5 2 D: A 6 2 C: 7 5 WEST EAST S: 7 3 S: 8 5 H: K J 9 8 7 6 H: 10 4 3 D: K D: Q 10 9 7 3 C: 10 9 6 2 C: Q 4 3 SOUTH S: K Q 4 H: A Q D: J 8 5 4 C: A K J 8 The Bidding:// WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 2H 2S Pass 3H Pass 3S Pass 4NT Pass 5H Pass 6NT Pass Pass Pass The opening lead was the ten of clubs and at first there appears to be only eleven tricks available to declarer. But the opening lead marked West with the nine of clubs and the bidding marked him with the king of hearts. This is valuable information in the hands of a skilled declarer. Well, the South player in today's hand was Charlotte Baff of Beachwood. While her husband, Marty, is considered to be one of the top players in the Cleveland area, Charlotte is a well established expert in her own right, holding over 5,000 master points. She made quick work of this tricky combination. The first trick went to the queen and ace of clubs. Baff cashed six spade tricks. West followed to the first two and then discarded four small hearts. Baff then made the key play of cashing the ace of diamonds. When West was forced to play the singleton king, the end positon was an open book. NORTH S: H: 5 2 D: 6 2 C: 7 WEST EAST S: S: H: K J H: 10 D: D: Q 10 C: 9 6 2 C: 4 3 SOUTH S: H: A Q D: C: K J 8 A club to the king followed by the jack and the eight puts West in with nothing else to do but lead hearts into the ace- queen combination. Bidding and making six no trump was an excellent result on this hand. Well done! Marty Bergen of Palm Beach Gardens, FL is one of the top player-theorists in the world of bridge. He has contributed Bergen Raises, DONT (Disturbing the Opponents No Trump), and the Law of Total Tricks to modern bridge bidding. In 1996 he wrote Points Schmoints which became the bridge book of the year. The popularity of this book is easy to understand. It is by far the most readable bridge book ever written. It is interspersed with humor and wisdom that help the reader to enjoy what is being taught, which is good, solid bridge. The sequel took a while, but I am here to tell you, it was worth the wait. More Points Schmoints is a wonderful collection of bridge ideas, some new, some old, presented in a very digestable format. From competitive bidding to finding that extra trick, this book is well worth the time spent reading and rereading. More Points Schmoints is available directly from the author, who will be more than happy to personally autograph your copy. The book is hardcover (you will be happy it is as you will read through it more than once) for $19.95 plus $3 postage. If you haven't read Points Schmoints, it is also available for $19.95 or you can order both books at the same time for $35.00 and Bergen will take care of the postage. Call 1-800-386-7432 or contact Bergen through email at to order by major credit card. _____________________________________________________________________