BRIDGE

Rose, our club member whose modesty and generosity are worth emulating, appreciates seeing the game played well, even by an opponent.

Rose was today’s declarer at four spades, and West led the jack of clubs. East was Ed, the club expert. He took the ace, pondered and led ... the king of diamonds. If Rose took dummy’s ace, drew trumps and started the hearts, West would signal “count,” and Ed would win the second heart. Dummy would be dead, and declarer would lose a club and a diamond for down one.

So Rose let the king of diamonds win, preserving dummy’s entry. But then Ed shifted back to clubs, setting up a trick he cashed when he took the ace of hearts. Down one.

“Well defended,” Rose said. “Thanks,” Ed nodded.

Bridge is competitive — tournaments are intensely so — but if all you care about is winning, you miss a lot. Even in tournaments, players often hire expert partners just for the pleasure of seeing the game played well.

Question: You hold: ♠ 85 ♥ A62 ♦ KJ10 ♣ AQ1083. Both sides vulnerable. The dealer, at your right, opens one spade. What do you say?

Answer: To bid two clubs is possible, but a two-level overcall in a broken suit risks being doubled and clobbered, and the low-ranking club suit offers limited hope of buying the contract at a low level. Many experts would double. A case exists for passing. There is no right Answer: Act as the spirit moves you. East dealer Both sides vulnerable