Overtricks and undertricks.
Bridge Column for May 27, 2001, By HARVEY BERNSTEIN
Both sides vulnerable.  South deals.
                              NORTH
                              S: A 8 7            
                              H: A Q 10 6 4  
                              D: A 2         
                              C: A Q 6   
            WEST                             EAST
            S: K 6 5 4                       S: 10 9 3   
            H: 7 3 2                         H: K J 9 8    
            D: K 9 7 4                       D: 5                 
            C: 8 7                           C: K J 9 4 2   
                              SOUTH                         
                              S: Q J 2 
                              H: 5      
                              D: Q J 10 8 6 3 
                              C: 10 5 3   
          The Bidding://
                  SOUTH    WEST    NORTH    EAST                  
                   Pass    Pass     1H      Pass
                   1NT     Pass     3NT     Pass
                   Pass    Pass
     This hand came up at a rubber bridge game and that is one of
the reasons that I found it interesting.  West placed the four of
spades on the table as the opening lead.  Declarer thought for a
moment and played a low spade.  The nine from East was taken by
the jack in the South hand.
     The three of diamonds went to the ace and a diamond came
back to the ten and West's king.  West got off lead with a heart. 
Declarer called for the ten from dummy.  East played the jack and
returned the three of spades.
     When South found virtually every honor off-sides, he was
down two.  His partner was generous and told him that it was an
"unlucky" hand, but I thought there was more to it than that and
made a few notes to look at later.
     Do you see the error that sunk this contract?  As is usually
the case, it happened at trick one.  Declarer should play the ace
of spades from dummy and play the ace of diamonds at trick two. 
The two of diamonds comes next as declarer drives out the king. 
No matter what the defense does, they cannot deny declarer an
entry to the long diamonds.  In all, South will take five
diamonds, two spades, one heart, and one club, making three no
trump.
     If the competition was match point duplicate, you might be
able to make an argument that you should play for more than nine
tricks.  When nothing works, everyone declaring three no trump
should be defeated.  At rubber bridge, recognize your entry
problem and play in such a way that the only thing your partner
will say at the end of the hand is "well played, partner"!
_______________________________________________________
Bernstein is a free-lance writer in Solon.