Bridge Column for March 27, 1994 
Neither side vulnerable.  South deals.
                              NORTH
                              S: A 10 5           
                              H: 10 4        
                              D: K 10 9 4 2  
                              C: Q 9 7  
            WEST                             EAST
            S: J 8 2                         S: 7 4 3        
            H: K 9 6                         H: 7 5 3 2    
            D: A 8                           D: 5 3               
            C: A J 10 5 4                    C: K 6 3 2     
                              SOUTH                         
                              S: K Q 9 6  
                              H: A Q J 8   
                              D: Q J 7 6 
                              C: 8        
                  SOUTH    WEST    NORTH    EAST                  
                   1D      Pass     3D      Pass
                   5D      Pass     Pass    Pass
     North-South were playing the modern style of standard
bidding which is based on opening major suits only when holding
five or more cards in the suit.  One diamond is therefore the
proper opening bid.  North's three diamond raise is a "limit"
raise promising nine to eleven high card points and at least five
card diamond support.  South's hand is greatly improved by the
guarantee of five diamonds in the North hand and the game bid is
certainly justified.
     The opening lead was the ace of clubs.  East signaled
encouragement with the six and West continued with the jack,
ducked in dummy and ruffed by South.  The ace of trumps is the
second sure trick for the defense, and it would appear that
declarer will have to rely on the heart finesse, which, as you
can see, is going to fail.  
     Frank Aquila of Solon sat South and he had no intention of
risking his contract on a simple finesse when other alternatives
were available.  Accordingly, at trick three Aquila led a small
diamond to the king, which held.  A small diamond back to the
queen lost to West's ace.  West continued with another club,
which Aquila ruffed with his last trump.  
     Three rounds of spades were played, ending in the south
hand.  When both opponents followed to all three spade leads,
South's fourth spade was the resting spot for a small heart from
dummy.  After the ace of hearts was cashed, dummy had three good
trumps to fulfill the contract.
     Had spades not "behaved", there was still the chance that
the jack would fall doubleton or singleton.  If that was not the
case, declarer would ruff the fourth spade in dummy and fall back
on the heart finesse.
     Aquila's excellent technique allowed him to make the
contract without taking the finesse and earned him a tie for top
and the board.