We love no-trump, but sometimes...

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE® GARFIELD® BIG NATE® ARLO & JANIS® ZITS®

At the bridge table, when “no-trump” is uttered, it is rarely a player expressing his opinion of the president of the United States. It is much more likely to mean that a major-suit fit has not been found, so it is time to head for three notrump.

We play in five of a minor only when we are confident that three no-trump will not make — and when would that be?

Not often. However, look at today’s deal. South opens one club, and North jumps to three clubs, a game-invitational limit raise denying a four-card or longer major. What should South do next?

When you agree a minor, a new-suit bid at the three-level is showing stoppers in that suit and warning that another suit is not stopped; otherwise, that player would bid three no-trump.

Here, over three clubs, South rebids three diamonds. Then North continues with three spades to indicate spade values and to deny a heart stopper. South now knows that no-trump is impossible, so he jumps to five clubs.

From the logic of the auction, West realizes that it is safe to lead a low heart. East takes two tricks in the suit, then shifts to a diamond.

South has no problem if trumps are 2-1. But if they are 3-0, he can pick them up only if East holds the tripleton. So, declarer starts with dummy’s club king.

Note, though, that if, say, South’s spade queen and North’s spade three were exchanged, the bidding would be one notrump - three no-trump, and the contract would go down one after a heart lead. Nothing works all of the time.