The root of the matter

IF 666 is the number of ultimate evil, is 25.8069 the root of all evil?

You don’t need to calculate square roots to play the dummy well, but a basic knowledge of percentages helps. Against four spades, West led the K-A and a low heart (not best). South ruffed and took the A-K of trumps.

When West discarded, South tried dummy’s top diamonds, but on the third diamond East discarded a club. (If he ruffed, he would end-play himself.) South threw a club but had to ruff the fourth diamond. He lost a club plus a trump.

FINESSE

After South ruffs the third heart, his percentage play is to take the ace of trumps, lead a diamond to dummy and return a second trump. When East follows low, South plays the jack.

As the cards lie, South is home, but if West had the queen, South would still succeed. He could win a club shift and cash dummy’s high diamonds. When the suit broke 4-2, South could ruff a diamond and return with a trump to discard his last club on the good diamond.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: 2 AK 6 4 J 9 6 2 9 7 5 2. Your partner opens one spade, you respond 1NT and he bids two hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER

This is a close case. Partner could have as many as 18 points, and four hearts might be a decent contract. Still, I believe that a raise to three hearts would be too encouraging. The singleton spade is not an asset, and the jack of diamonds may be a wasted point. Pass. If you miss a game, blame your bidding system.

South dealer Both sides vulnerable Opening lead – ♥K