DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

I’ve heard a pessimist described as someone who looks both ways before crossing a one-way street. A winning player may be an optimist (if he must assume a favorable lie of the cards) or a pessimist (if he must guard against an unfriendly lie). But he is always careful.

In today’s deal, East took two high hearts and led a third. South ruffed with the queen of trumps; he expected it to win since East had opened the bidding. But West overruffed with the king and exited with a diamond.

South then had to find the queen of clubs for his contract, and when he played East, the opening bidder, for the queen, he went down one.

South was careless. He needed to be pessimistic and place the king of trumps with West. South should ruff the third heart with the ace of trumps, take the ace of diamonds and ruff dummy’s last diamond.

Declarer then exits with a trump. The defender who wins must lead a club, guessing the queen for declarer, or concede a fatal ruff-sluff.

Daily question

You hold: ♠ J10754 ♥ J72 ♦ A8 ♣ A 10 4. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one spade, he bids two hearts and you try 2NT. Partner then bids three hearts. What do you say?

Answer: Your partner has a huge hand. He has not only “reversed,” suggesting extra strength, but has shown five cards in hearts and longer diamonds. Bid six hearts or, if you prefer a slower approach and want to try for a grand slam, cue-bid four clubs.

East dealer

Both sides vulnerable