BRIDGE

GOING TO FLORIDA While the Spring NABC was going on in Kansas City, I was on a Florida speaking tour. My first stop was the Khatib Bridge Center in Stuart, where I was honored to partner Dr. Reza Khatib, a noted physician and the club’s benefactor. As today’s West, I overcalled one spade and then kept silent; to bid two spades at my second turn would not have been a good idea. Against South’s three diamonds, what would you have led with my hand? SECOND TRUMP I tried a trump. South won and led a spade, and I took the ace and led another trump. Declarer won in dummy and led the king of spades, but my partner came through by ruffing. South threw a heart loser, but then East led a club. Eventually I got three clubs for down one. Some North-Souths made 3NT, so we scored well on the deal. With perfect play involving a loser-on-loser end You hold: 2 A K 7 5 A Q 8 6 2 K J 6. You open one diamond, and your partner responds two clubs. What do you say? ANSWER: Slam is possible if your partner has useful cards such as the ace of spades (but not the K-Q, which would be “wasted”), king of diamonds and good clubs. Bid two hearts, a “reverse” that in most styles suggests extra strength, and support the clubs next. Let partner judge whether he has the right cards for slam. South dealer play (throwing me in with a spade to concede a club trick to the king), South could win 10 tricks at diamonds. Kindest regards to my friends at the Khatib club. DAILY QUESTION Both sides vulnerable The Frank Stewart Bridge column is also available in The Mercury