DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

Cy the Cynic defines “My fault!” as an apology one tectonic plate may issue when it bumps into one nearby. Look at today’s deal and decide whether anybody was due an apology.

South roared indelicately into four spades after East-West opened the bidding and responded. West led the king of hearts: four, deuce, three. East had bid diamonds, so West shifted to the jack. South took his ace and led his last heart, and West won and led another diamond. Declarer ruffed, drew trumps and led a club. West’s ace won the defenders’ last trick since South could pitch a club on a high heart in dummy. Whom would you fault?

West should have owned up. Since East did not raise the clubs, West’s best chance to beat the contract is to get two club tricks. But if he leads the ace at the second trick and then a club to the king, South can come to his ace of diamonds and ruff his last club in dummy.

To prevail, West leads a low club at Trick Two. South is sure to fail.

Daily question

You hold: ♠ 9875 ♥ AK7 ♦ J9 ♣ A Q 6 3. You open one club, your partner responds one heart, you bid one spade and he tries 1NT. The opponents pass. What do you say?

Answer: You must pass. Your partner’s bidding shows at most nine points. Game is impossible, but if you bid a third time, you would show interest in getting there despite partner’s weakness. Anyway, you have no reason to believe that a contract of two hearts would be better than 1NT.

West dealer

Both sides vulnerable