DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

When I watched today’s deal in a money game, South was Tom Webb, known to us all as “Tangle” because he encounters more blocked suits and entry woes than anyone else in my club.

West led a spade against 3NT ( North’s double was “negative”), and Tangle won with the queen. He took the A- K of diamonds and then the ten and nine, but the suit was blocked. So Tangle tried to return to his hand by leading a heart to his king.

West took the ace and led the deuce of clubs, and East won with the nine and returned a club to the king and ace. Declarer next led dummy’s jack of hearts, but West won, and the defense got two more clubs for down one.

Tangle got tangled up, as usual. To make 3NT he can lead the six of spades at Trick Two, pitching a diamond from dummy.

If West returns the king of spades ( no other lead is better), Tangle discards another blocking diamond from dummy and takes the ace. He can cash the A- K of diamonds and four more diamonds to land the contract. DAILY QUESTION You hold: one spade, your partner bids two hearts, you raise to three hearts and he tries four clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: You raised to three hearts because partner’s response promised five or more hearts. His four clubs shows the ace and slam interest, and since you have good trumps, you can encourage. Bid four diamonds. To cue- bid a singleton is unusual but is an economical call here. South dealer Both sides vulnerable