Ê 10 7 5 4 2 6 J 7 K 10 8 6

The bidding goes:

West		North		East		South
Svarc?		?		Mouiel?		Wolny
1		Pass		2		2
Pass		Pass		3ÍÔ		Áll Pass

Some players would lead a spade, and sometimes this would be right. On the other hand, declarer is likely to hold a double stop and you will probably be giving away an immediate trick. There is a fair case for trying a club, and it works well, for this was the full hand:

6 Q 10 5 3 6 5 4 Á Q 7 4 3 J 8 3 A Q 9 Á Ê 8 7 4 2 J 9 Q 10 3 A K 9 8 2 J 9 5 2 Ê 10 7 5 4 2 6 J 7 Ê 10 8 6

(As a matter of fact, the 8 might be a good choice, because in some circumstances it would reduce the danger of a block.)

Wolny, of Poland, playing against Svarc-Mouiel, did in fact find the club lead and pick up 100. At the other table West played in four hearts. It looks as though a spade lead may defeat this, but Romanski won with the ace, cashed two hearts, then played on diamonds, discarding the singleton club and losing just two hearts and a spade.

The good form they displayed on this deal helped the Poles to a dramatic lead of 65-19 after the first session of 16 boards.

Nikos Sarantakos sarant@village.uunet.lu

This page has been visited times.