The 2003 Daily Bridge Calendar.
Bridge Column for November 22, 2002, Harvey Bernstein
Both sides vulnerable.  North deals.
                              North
                              S: J 7 2            
                              H: A J 8 3     
                              D: 7 5       
                              C: A K Q 10 
            West                             East
            S: 5                             S: A 8 4        
            H: 9 6 5                         H: Q 10 4     
            D: Q J 4                         D: A K 10 8 6 2      
            C: 9 7 6 5 3 2                   C: J           
                              South                         
                              S: K Q 10 9 6 3 
                              H: K 7 2      
                              D: 9 3       
                              C: 8 4      
          The Bidding:  
                  North    East    South    West                  
                   1C       1D      1S      Pass
                   2S      Pass     3S      Pass
                   4S      Pass     Pass    Pass
     This hand was written by Bobby Wolfe of Dallas and is
included in a previous issue of the Daily Bridge Calendar which
is published by Ashler House Inc. of Brompton, Ontario, Canada.  
     The opening lead was the queen of diamonds. East signaled
his encouragement with the eight and West continues with the jack
of diamonds.  Declarer won the heart continuation and the only
other trick available to the defense was the ace of trump.  In
the discussion that followed, East told his partner that he had
hoped to score a heart trick to defeat the contract.  He still
did not realize that all hope was lost at trick one.
     Instead of playing an encouraging card at trick one, East
should take control of the defense by overtaking with the king of
diamonds and returning th jack of clubs.  Declarer will win this
trick in dummy and switch to trumps.  East should play low to the
first trump. (You never know when partner will hold a singleton
king or queen.)
     When declarer continues with a second spade, East should win
the ace and return a small diamond to the jack that he assumes in
in the West hand.  West wins this trick and has no problem
returning a club for partner to trump, defeating the contract by
one trick.
     What if West does not have the jack of diamonds?  In that
case, East has given up an overtrick while trying to defeat the
contract.  
     Take time to think through your defense before you play to
trick one.  Determine what your alternatives are and which one
you should select.    
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Bernstein is a free-lance writer in Solon.