Bridge Astonishing play

According to Unlucky

Louie, if at first you do succeed, try not to look astonished.

In a penny game, Louie was declarer at four spades, and West led a trump. East took the ace and returned a trump, and Louie drew trumps. He counted four spade tricks, three hearts, a diamond and a club. He needed an extra minor-suit trick.

At the fourth trick, Louie led a diamond to dummy’s queen. When East played low, Louie tried not to look astonished; his finesses usually lose. He threw a club on the ace of diamonds and wound up losing one club at the end. Making four. “Maybe my luck is changing,” Louie said.

MISPLAY

Louie was luckier than he knew. He survived a misplay. If East had held the king of diamonds, Louie would have had four sure losers. At Trick Four, Louie should lead a club toward dummy’s queen. If West held the king, Louie would have a 10th trick.

When East holds the king of clubs, Louie still has a chance: He can finesse in diamonds to try for a club discard.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ♠ 9 7 4 ♥ A 9 8 ♦ K J 9 ♣ J 9 5 2. Your partner opens one spade, you raise to two spades and he next bids 2NT. What do you say?

ANSWER:

Partner’s second bid is a try for game; he says your best game may be 3NT even though you have a spade fit. Your hand could be no more suitable for a raise to 3NT. Your distribution is flat, your spade support is poor, and you have maximum highcard values for your raise with your honors well dispersed. North dealer

N-S vulnerable