DAILY BRIDGE CLUB Cynic is not a fan of matrimony

“A fool and his money are soon married.” — Cy the Cynic

Cy is no fan of matrimony. A hand that includes a K-Q doubleton reminds him of marriage, and he expects disaster.

Cy was today’s South, and when West’s preempt was passed around, Cy doubled and converted North’s three-spade response to 3NT.

West led a spade, and East played low. Cy took the king and led the queen of hearts. East won and shifted to the 10 of clubs: four, king, three. Cy won the club return, cashed his diamond tricks and queen of spades, and led another heart. West claimed the rest: down two.

“I knew it,” the Cynic sighed.

In fact, West gave Cy a chance. A club opening lead would beat 3NT. With a spade lead, Cy can win with the king, overtake his queen with the ace, and lead the 10 — discarding his ace of clubs.

Then the defense must let Cy into dummy with the queen of clubs for the winning spades or give him time to set up his hearts. Either way, Cy makes his game.

DAILY QUESTION:

You hold: KQ QJ10 94 AKQJ A 4. You open two clubs (strong, artificial), your partner responds two diamonds (negative), you bid two hearts and he raises to three hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your hand was worth a forcing opening bid, but only just. You had nine winners and barely adequate defensive values. Bid four hearts. Partner may have as few as six points and only a bit of heart support, so you should make no move toward slam.