DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

Consult, v. — “To seek another’s approval for a course of action already decided upon.” — Ambrose Bierce, “The Devil’s Dictionary”

Players often ask me to settle arguments. Against today’s 3NT, West had led the ten of spades: four, king, ace. Declarer then tried to sneak through the jack of diamonds. That ploy worked none too well when East took the king and led his last spade. West ran the spades for down one.

“Declarer should duck two spades and win the third,” the player who had been dummy contended. “Then he can lead the jack of diamonds. East has no more spades, so declarer is safe.”

“Sure,” sneered the South player. “And if West has the king of diamonds, I go down at a cold game.” Who was right? As you might expect, nobody. South should win the second spade, cash four clubs and the A- K of hearts, and exit with the jack of spades. After West takes three spades, he must lead a heart to dummy’s queen or a diamond to South’s A- J, conceding the ninth trick. Your partner opens one spade, you respond 1 NT and he bids two diamonds. What do you say? be ANSWER: a winning call; To pass partner might might have a minimum hand with five diamonds and five spades. But the sound call is a “false preference” to two spades. If he has only four diamonds, he should do better at the 5-2 fit. Moreover, you have two useful honors, so game is still possible. Give him another chance. West dealer Neither side vulnerable