A FAIRLY short column this week as I am on the road with few stops — the hand, however, is a peach. Some hands are difficult even when all four hands are on view. Try finding the right play to four spades before reading on. A hint — as always, remember the bidding:

Dealer: South

Both Vulnerable.North<$>

[spade]K J 6

[heart]A 8 5

[diamond]A K 7 6

[club]9 5 3

West East

[spade]— [spade]8 7 5 2

[heart]K Q J 10 9 7 4 3 [heart]—

[diamond]9 3 [diamond]Q 8 5 4

[club]K 6 4 [club]J 10 8 7 2

South

[spade]A Q 10 9 4 3

[heart]6 2

[diamond]J 10 2

[club]A Q

West North East South

— — — 1[spade]

4[diamond] 4[spade] Pass Pass

PassWest leads the obvious king of hearts. If declarer doesn’t put on his thinking cap and plays dummy’s ace of hearts, he fails automatically, with both finesses wrong. East ruffs the ace of hearts and shifts to a club. Declarer has to try the queen. West wins, cashes a heart and when the diamond finesses loses South finishes a trick short.

However, a thoughtful declarer can overcome these problems by playing low from dummy on the opening lead and on the next heart too! After East ruffs the third heart, declarer over-ruffs, downs trumps, and runs the jack of diamonds. Although this loses to East’s queen he makes ten tricks; six trumps, three diamonds and a club. The club finesse is never risked.

If you didn’t get this one — don’t worry! West’s four heart bid was a clue to the right play.

LATEST RESULTS

Bermuda Bridge Club

Monday afternoon, August 1: 1. Aida Bostelmann-Gertrude Barker, 2. Mary Arton-Sandra Cordon, 3. Joan Sims-Gillian Gray.

Monday evening, N/S: 1. Kevin Comeau-Stephan Juliusburger, 2. Greta Marshall-Patricia Hayward, 3. Judith Bussell-Sheena Rayner. E/W: 1. Stephen Ball-Lynanne Bolton, 2. John Rayner-Don Airey, 3. Barry Rahman-David Pereira.

Wednesday afternoon: 1. Gertrude Barker-Janice Trott, 2. Jean Bath-Marilyn Simmons, 3. Sheena Rayner-Elizabeth McKee.

Wednesday evening, N/S: <$>1. Dee Griffiths-Laura Patriciu, 2. Dan McCleary-Jane McCleary. E/W: 1. Marika Peterich-Susan Holland, 2. Joy Lusher-Elizabeth Raben.

Friday, N/S:<$> 1. David Pereira-Margaret Way, 2. David Cordon-John Burville, 3. Gordon Bussell-Jim Leitch. E/W: 1. Vera Petty-Roman Smolski, 2. Patricia Hayward-Greta Marshall, 3. Michael Bickley-Mary Jane Coelho.