BRIDGE

I play golf as well as bridge, and Murphy’s Law applies in both games. In golf, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line that goes through a large tree; hazards attract, fairways repel; and if you’re having your best round ever, it will rain.

In bridge, if you need a 3-2 break, the suit will break 4-1.

Today, South took the ace of spades and led the jack and then a low diamond to the king. East took his ace and led the jack of hearts. South couldn’t run dummy’s diamonds, and when he went after the clubs, the defense got two clubs, two hearts and a diamond.

At Trick Two, South can lead his eight of diamonds to dummy’s nine. If East takes the 10 and shifts to hearts, South wins in his hand and overtakes the jack of diamonds to set up the diamonds, winning four diamonds, three spades and two hearts.

If East plays low on the first diamond, dummy leads a low diamond. East must duck again, and then South attacks the clubs for nine tricks. Question: You hold: ♠ 52 ♥ K63 ♦ KQ9763 ♣ 7 5. Your partner opens one spade, you bid 1NT and he rebids two spades. The opponents pass. What do you say?

Answer: It looks odd to leave your diamonds on the shelf, but partner promises minimum values with at least six spades, hence you’ve found a playable trump suit, and your chances for game are nil. Pass. You would run to three diamonds with a hand such as2, A63, QJ109743, 75.