DAILY BRIDGE CLUB
“If the man looked for a needle in a haystack, he’d find the needle — and the farmer’s comely daughter.”
Unlucky Louie was talking about the player we call Harlow the Halo. While Louie labors under a cloud of bad luck, Harlow’s finesses always win and his errors never cost.
In a team match, both Louie and Harlow played 3NT. West led the queen of hearts: three, nine.
“I knew the defense had only three heart tricks,” Louie said, “so I grabbed my ace and played safe: I unblocked the king of clubs and played a low diamond from both hands.”
Nine tricks: “The defense took three hearts and led a spade,” Louie continued, “but I won and led a diamond to my king. I could cash the A-Q of clubs and run the diamonds for nine tricks.”
“How did Harlow play?”
“He ducked the queen of hearts,” Louie said disgustedly. “If West shifts to a spade, dummy must duck, and the defense shifts back to hearts for down one. But West continued hearts, so Harlow survived.”
One day, Harlow’s luck will run out.
Daily question
You hold: ♠ A532 ♥ 743 ♦ AJ6 32 ♣ K. Neither side vulnerable. The dealer, at your right, opens one heart. You pass, the next player bids two hearts and two passes follow. What do you say?
Answer: A few players would have doubled one heart. You must not sell out to two hearts when your partner is marked with some points, and your side probably has a trump fit somewhere. Double. If partner bids two spades, fine. If he bids three clubs, try three diamonds. South dealer
N-S vulnerable