DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

When I watched today’s deal in my club’s penny game, South was the notorious Joe Overberry, who thinks it’s nobler to go down trying for overtricks than to make his bid. That drives his partners to the bar.

Joe played at four hearts, and West led the deuce of spades. Joe played low from dummy, and East took the king and led the jack of diamonds: queen, king. Joe won the diamond return and drew trumps, but when he led the king of clubs next, East won and cashed a diamond. Down one.

“Typical Overberry fiasco,” North growled.

“If a few finesses win,” Joe said indignantly, “I make two overtricks.”

If Joe were concerned with making the contract, he would win the first spade with the ace, draw trumps and lead the king of clubs. East wins and leads the jack of diamonds: queen, king. Joe wins the diamond return, unblocks the queen of clubs, and gets to dummy with a trump to pitch his diamond loser on the jack of clubs. He loses a spade to the king and wins the rest.

Daily question

You hold: ♠ K94 ♥ 6 ♦ J1098 ♣ A 10 8 5 4. The dealer, at your left, opens one diamond. Your partner doubles, you respond two clubs and he then bids two spades. What do you say?

Answer: If your partner had an average hand with long spades, he would have overcalled one spade. Since he doubled before bidding his suit, he promises substantial extra strength. Bid four spades, and don’t be surprised if partner makes an overtrick or two.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable