QUICK CROSSWORD

Afew books and videos arrived late in the year, but they are worthwhile purchases. “Larry Teaches Notrump” by Larry Cohen ( larryco. com) is exactly what it says. In 64 large pages, he covers the basics of no- trump, then moves to more advanced topics like the danger hand. Each of the 11 chapters contains lots of quizzes. The book ends with a glossary.

Look at the North- South hands in this diagram. How should South play in three no- trump after West leads the heart seven?

Cohen gives no bidding, and if South were the dealer, he would open one heart and stop that favorable lead. North’s threeclub opening would be popular these days. Then South’s response would be more in hope than expectation, given the singleton club. A doubleton would be much better.

Step one: Pause. Many less- experienced players rush headlong to defeat. Step two: Count top tricks, instant winners. Here, South has eight: one spade, two hearts ( given the lead), two diamonds and three clubs. Step three: From where may a ninth winner come?

There are two chances: diamonds and clubs. Which is more likely to generate an extra trick?

In clubs, declarer needs a 3- 3 split, which is 35.53 percent. In diamonds, initially it seems to be the same, but not with the 10 on the board. If East has a singleton or doubleton honor, a third trick can be gained. The odds are 54 percent. So, South should immediately play three rounds of diamonds. Note also that if the diamonds do not behave, South has 3- 3 clubs on the back burner. Copyright United Feature Syndicate ( Asia Features)