Book learning

WHEN I watched today’s deal in a duplicate game, my friend the English professor was West. South was a visitor to our club who may have arrived on a turnip truck. He wore suspenders and brandished a corncob pipe.

At six clubs the newcomer took the ace of hearts, drew trumps and cashed the A-K of spades. When East discarded, declarer grumpily conceded down one.

“A major-suit squeeze ‘without the count’ makes it,” the prof noted.

“I ain’t got none of that book learnin’,” South growled.

“That’s a double negative,” the prof said. “But I believe you.”

EARLY SPADE

South can’t succeed by conceding an early spade; West will lead a second heart to break up a squeeze. But if South runs his trumps, West must discard diamonds to save four spades and the J-10 of hearts.

If South judges the position, he cashes the ace of diamonds next. When West throws a spade, South can take the A-K, concede a spade and win the last two tricks with the king of hearts and a good spade.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: J 8763 KQ74 2 8 5 4. Your partner opens one diamond. The next player doubles. What do you say?

ANSWER

Since the auction may be competitive, take your (one) opportunity to put partner into the picture: Bid three diamonds, preemptive. This call shows good diamond support in a weak, shapely hand. If your opponent had passed, you might have bid one heart, but his double suggests heart length and strength. Describe your hand.

South dealer E-W vulnerable Opening lead – ♥Q