FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

Cy the Cynic has no aptitude for geometry at all. “My high school math teacher tried to explain a circle to me,” Cy confided, “but it was pointless.” Cy had some explaining to do after today’s deal. He was declarer at four spades, and West cashed the K-A of hearts and shifted to the ten of clubs. The Cynic won and led the queen of trumps to finesse — the percentage play with ten trumps missing the king. East won and led the jack of diamonds, and Cy lost a finesse with the queen. Down one.

“Your trump finesse was pointless,” North growled. Inference

Cy neglected to count points and draw an inference. If the trump finesse would win, West couldn’t have the king of diamonds also. He showed the A-K of hearts and didn’t open the bidding.

The Cynic should lead a trump to the ace at Trick Four. If West has the guarded king, East will have the king of diamonds, so Cy will get home anyway. Cy must guard against the singleton king of trumps with East and the king of diamonds with West. Daily Question You hold :76 A K 92 K 9865106.

♠♥♦♣ Your partner opens one spade, you bid two diamonds and he rebids two spades. What do you say?

Answer: This is an uneasy problem. A response of 1NT (which would have been mandatory in a system where your two diamonds would have forced to game) would have worked out better. Your partner is not expecting you to pass, though that might be a winning action. Bid 2NT and hope to survive. West dealer Neither side vulnerable