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An Awful Suit

None Vul
K 7 4
A Q 2
10 7 5
K 9 8 2
5
K 10 5
A 8 6 4 2
7 6 5 4
A 9 8 6 3
9 8 7 6
K J
A 3
Q J 10 2
J 4 3
Q 9 3
Q J 10
South can, with care, make 2 NT. I'll leave that to the reader.
Perversely, East/West have a sacrifice in clubs.
In 3 by East/West, the obvious defense is to lead a trump. East wins the A, plays the A, ruffs a spade, crosses back to the K, ruffs another spade, plays the A and another diamond, ruffed with the 3, and finally a fourth round of spades, ruffed in West, and overruffed in North, reaching this position:
A Q 2
K 9
K 10 5
8 6
9
9 8 7 6
J 4 3
Q J
Notice, you've stripped North/South of all but hearts and clubs. They get to take their trumps but then have to concede a heart trick at the end, giving the defense five tricks, for -100, if doubled.
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Thomas Andrews (bridge@thomasoandrews.com), © 1999-2009.
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