DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

“Does a sheep know when somebody pulls the wool over its eyes?” — graffiti

Since declarer can’t see the defenders’ hands, they have opportunities to lead him astray through deceptive play: falsecarding, playing a card he already knows they hold, or winning a trick with a higher card than necessary.

In today’s deal, South found himself at four hearts. His three hearts was strictly competitive, not a game try, and North really should have passed. West led the queen of spades, and South took the ace, drew trumps and led a club to dummy’s nine (not best). East won with the queen and shifted to the four of diamonds: six, ace (!), eight. West then led a club.

Finesse: South saw no need to risk a second club finesse when he clearly could win a third diamond trick and pitch a club from dummy. He took the ace of clubs and let the ten of diamonds ride — and found that wool had been pulled. West produced the queen and cashed his king of clubs for down one.

This week: defensive deception.

Daily question

You hold: ♠ 4 ♥ AKQ93 ♦ KJ 76 ♣ J 4 2. Neither side vulnerable. The dealer, at your right, opens one spade. You bid two hearts, the next player raises to two spades and two passes follow. What do you say?

Answer: Double. This action is not without risk, but to sell out at the two level when your partner surely has a few points is a losing approach. Your double is for takeout; partner will usually bid a minor or support your hearts.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable