Bridge Play

“Stock up on liquid paper; it’s a corrector’s item.” — graffiti

I continue a series on choosing a suit to attack. Many factors may influence your choice, but if you choose wrongly, it may be too late for a correction.

At today’s 3NT, South won the second club and attacked his best suit: He led the queen of diamonds to finesse. East took the king and led his last club, and South won and tried the A-J of diamonds. When West threw a spade, South had to lead a spade: A winning heart finesse and a 3-3 break would give him only eight tricks. West won and took two clubs for down one.

WRONG SUIT

South attacked the wrong suit. In case he had to lose the lead twice in setting up nine tricks, he needed to lose to West early, before West’s clubs were good.

South must lead a spade at Trick Three. If West wins and continues clubs, South wins and passes the queen of diamonds. East wins but has no club to lead, and South is sure of two diamonds, three spades, two clubs and two hearts.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ♠ Q107 ♥ A62

♦ AJ976 ♣ 7 6. Your partner opens one spade. The next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: In “Standard” methods, bid two diamonds. If partner rebids two spades, raise to three (or to four if you feel bullish). If he bids two hearts, bid two or three spades. In a game-forcing two-over-one style, you must judge whether to force to game. If you think not, you must respond 1NT. That is one of several aspects of “2/1” I dislike.