Gossipy partners

From a church’s order of worship: Sermon: “Gossip: the speaking of evil”

Hymn: “I love to tell the story”

I can appreciate an instructive deal, but not players who talk about their partner’s failings. The player who was today’s North told me his partner had gone down at six spades.

“He took the ace of clubs,” North grumbled, “cashed five trumps, four hearts and the ace of diamonds, and lost the last two tricks. He should have made it.”

WINNING PLAY

West’s “Unusual” 2NT, which showed length in both minors, could have guided South. After he takes the ace of clubs, he can proceed thus: heart to dummy’s jack, ace of diamonds, diamond ruff, trump to the queen, diamond ruff, three high hearts to pitch a club from dummy. South then concedes a club. He ruffs the club return with dummy’s jack of trumps for his 10th trick and still has the A-K of trumps.

It would have been a pretty play, but tough to find. None of us is perfect. North would have done well to say nothing.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: Q J 9 J 3 2 A 8 6 2 7 6 2. Your partner opens one heart, you raise to two hearts, the next player overcalls three clubs and your partner bids three hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER

You have near-maximum values for your raise, but partner’s three hearts is merely competitive, not a try for game. If he thought game possible, he could have bid three diamonds (on any old diamond holding) to alert you. Don’t punish him for competing. Pass.

South dealer Both sides vulnerable Opening lead – ♣K