The 2002 Daily Bridge Calendar.
Bridge Column for December 16, 2001, Harvey Bernstein
North-South vulnerable.  South deals.
                              North
                              S: 6 4 3            
                              H: 6 2         
                              D: A J 10 6 5
                              C: 7 5 4   
            West                             East
            S: Q J 10 8 7                    S: 9 5 2        
            H: Q 10 7 5                      H: K 9 3      
            D: K 3                           D: Q 9 8             
            C: 8 2                           C: J 10 9 6    
                              South                         
                              S: A K  
                              H: A J 8 4    
                              D: 7 4 2     
                              C: A K Q 3  
          The Bidding:  
                  South    West    North    East                  
                   2NT     Pass     3NT     Pass
                   Pass    Pass     
     This hand was written by Phillip Alder of New York City and
is included in the 2002 Daily Bridge Calendar which is published
by Ashler House Inc. of Brompton, Ontario, Canada.  
     The opening lead was the queen of spades and declarer can
count seven top tricks.  The diamond suit appears to be the best
bet for the additional tricks necessary to fulfill the game
contract.  Accordingly, South wins the first spade and leads a
small diamond towards the dummy.  West plays low and the ten is
called for.  East wins the queen and returns a spade.  South wins
with his last spade and playes another diamond.  The king appears
from the West hand and declarer scores eleven tricks in all.
     While this appears to be fairly straight forward, Alder
makes the point that the contract should have been defeated. 
When South leads the first diamond, West should consider what he
knows about the hand.  First and foremost, there are no entries
to the dummy outside of the diamond suit.  Second, the king will
fall on the second round of the suit.  If he plays this card on
the first round, declarer must win the ace.  If declarer allows
the king to hold the trick, another spade lead from West will
clear that suit before the long diamonds are established.
     It is also very likely that East has the queen of diamonds. 
If South held that card he would more than likely have led it. 
Playing the king on the first lead allows East to control the
diamond suit.  If East now "holds up" until the third round of
the suit, declarer will never be able to get back to the long
diamonds.
     There is no such thing as an "automatic" play.  Consider all
of the information available and then make the right play.
     The 2002 Daily Bridge Calendar is available for $13.99 plus
$4.00 shipping by calling 1-800-749-3292.  It is an excellent
gift for you bridge partners and friends.
____________________________________________________
Bernstein is a free-lance writer in Solon.