FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

INFERENTIAL COUNT Today’s South was absent when they passed out fear; he overcalled at the two level on a ragged suit. He survived when North had a fair hand with club support.

Against three clubs, West led the K-A (not best) and a third diamond. East ruffed dummy’s ten and led the ten of hearts. South took his ace and saw that if he could pick up the trumps, he could pitch a heart on the queen of diamonds and make his contract. But he took the A-K of trumps next, and West showed out. South then lost a trump and a heart to go down.

Should declarer have guessed right in trumps? Distribution

South had an inferential count of the distribution. He knew West had held five diamonds and East one. East needed four hearts to bid the suit, and West had threecard

support to raise. Moreover, spades were split 4-4: If either defender had five, he would have bid the suit.

South should play West for 4-3-5-1 pattern. South leads a trump to dummy’s king and, when West follows low, confidently lets the ten ride. Daily Qustion

You hold: ♠ J 9 8 4 ♥ K J 3 ♦ A K J 9 8 ♣ 7. You open one diamond, your partner responds one heart and the next player bids two clubs. West in today’s deal bid two hearts with this hand. Do you agree with that action?

Answer: West’s bid was fine; he needed to show his support promptly. Many modern pairs use “support doubles,” and West could have doubled to show three-card support. A bid of two hearts would have promised fourcard support. West dealer

Both sides vulnerable