DAILY BRIDGE CLUB
When I watched today’s deal in my club’s penny game, East was Grapefruit, who finds fault as if a reward were offered for it. He assails his partners without mercy.
Against 3NT, West led a heart, and Grapefruit took the king and returned the eight: ten, jack, six of diamonds. West then cashed his ace and led a fourth heart.
Declarer’s queen won, and he next took the A-K of clubs. He led a third club to Grapefruit’s jack and claimed the rest, making three.
Thoughts: “Partner,” Grapefruit said, “I’d give you my thoughts about your defense if you had any place to put them.”
“You wouldn’t have any of the milk of human kindness if you swallowed a cow,” West growled.
Grapefruit’s eight-of-hearts return marks South with Q-10-9-2, hence a sure heart trick, so West should let South’s ten win, preserving communication. Moreover, if South takes the ace of clubs next, West must ditch his queen, making sure East can win the defenders’ club trick and lead a third heart through. (Yes, South could always succeed.)
Daily question
You hold: ♠ 85 ♥ AJ743
♦ 10843 ♣ Q 6. Your partner opens one club, you respond one heart and he next bids one spade. The opponents pass. What do you say?
Answer: If you held one more spade and one fewer diamond, to pass would be reasonable. As it is, you can’t strand partner at a probable 4-2 fit (and a slight chance for game exists anyway). Bid 1NT. A rebid of two hearts would suggest a six-card suit or at least a stronger five-carder.
South dealer