Do you base play on inference?

Bridge is a problemsolver’s game, but Cy the Cynic is reluctant to base his play on an inference. That would mean trusting an opponent to play logically, and Cy trusts nobody.

Cy was declarer at today’s 3NT. West led the seven of spades: deuce, queen ... and Cy had to judge. Winning would be fine if West had the ace of clubs: When Cy lost to the ace next, his jack of spades would be safe from attack, and he would have nine winners.

But if East had the ace of clubs, Cy needed to play low and play low on East’s spade return as well. He could isolate West’s long spades.

The Cynic guessed wrong and won. He lost five tricks when East took the ace of clubs and returned the nine of spades.

Cy succeeds if he draws a delicate inference. If West had five spades headed by the ace plus the ace of clubs (andmaybe a red-suit honor), he might have overcalled one spade at favorable vulnerability. Cy should have ducked twice in spades.

Tomorrow: another inference.

DAILY QUESTION:

You hold: ♠ KJ53 ♥ Q6 ◆ A Q ♣ Q J 9 5 3. Your partner opens one heart. The next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: A jump to 3NT would be roughly descriptive, but you need not rush. Bid two clubs. If partner rebids two hearts, you can bid an economical two spades next. If your hand were weaker and worth only one constructive response — say you held K J 5 3, Q 6, K 5, 10 9 5 4 2 — you would respond one spade to look for a fit in the major suit.

FAMILY CIRCUS