FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

SPLENDID SPLINTERS “Splinter bids” help to find good slams (and avoid bad slams) based on hands that fit together well or badly. An unusual jump shows shortness in the suit (a singleton or void, by agreement) and support for partner’s suit.

In today’s deal, North’s jump to three spades showed a singleton plus diamond support. South was willing to jump to five diamonds: He had no “wasted” honors in spades. West cashed a high spade and shifted to a heart. Declarer played low from dummy, hoping West had led from the king, but East won and exited with a heart. At the end, South lost a club: down one. Last Spade

The contract was fine, but South erred. He should grab the ace of hearts, lead a trump to his hand, ruff a spade, lead a trump to his hand and ruff his last spade. South then cashes the ace of clubs and exits with a heart. If clubs are breaking 4-1 — the only danger — the defender who takes the king will be endplayed, forced to concede a ruff-sluff or lead a club to declarer’s advantage. Daily Question You hold: 8 A 4 Q 10 8 7 6 3 A Q 9 3.

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ You open one diamond, your partner bids one heart, you rebid two diamonds and he tries 2NT. What do you say?

Answer: You can’t sit for 2NT with this hand. Bid three clubs, showing minimum values with six diamonds and four clubs. Partner can pass or bid three diamonds, but he must not persist in notrump. If you held 8, A 4, A Q 10 7 6 3, A Q 9 3, your second bid would have been two clubs or three diamonds. South dealer E-W vulnerable