Bridge: Sept. 16, 2024
A club player told me his train of thought derailed when he was declarer at today’s slam.
“And there were no survivors,” he said grimly.
North-South had 33 high-card points and duly reached 6NT after North checked for a 4-4 heart fit via Stayman. West led the queen of spades.
“I won with the ace,” declarer told me, “and took four clubs. East threw three spades. Then, I’m ashamed to say, I led the A-K and a third heart. East took the jack and queen for down one.”
DIAMOND TRICK
“My partner was kind enough to say that diamonds had split 4-2, so I couldn’t get a diamond trick anyway. I suspect he was thinking that my play was a train wreck and I deserved a kick in the caboose.”
After South cashes the clubs, he should play a low heart from both hands. If East returns a heart, South wins and takes the king of spades, pitching a diamond from dummy. East must discard, and South wins his 12th trick in the suit East discards. South also succeeds if either red suit breaks 3-3.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S A 5 H A 9 5 4 D Q 8 4 C A Q J 3. Neither side vulnerable. After two passes, the player at your right opens three diamonds. What do you say?
ANSWER: Thanks a lot. Your opponent’s preempt cuts away your room to look for a good contract. In such situations, you must assume that your partner has a share of the missing strength. If you pass, you may get a plus score, but you will often miss games. Bid 3NT and hope for good luck.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S A 5
H A 9 5 4
D Q 8 4
C A Q J 3
WEST
S Q J 10 9 3
H 7 3
D 5 2
C 8 7 5 2
EAST
S 7 6 4 2
H Q J 10 8
D J 10 9 7
C 9
SOUTH
S K 8
H K 6 2
D A K 6 3
C K 10 6 4
South West North East
1 NT Pass 2 C Pass
2 D Pass 6 NT All Pass
Opening lead — S Q
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