Bridge TOO CLEVER

ble to show a good raise is a popular agreement in today’s tournament world. East was a bit too clever when he bid three no-trump, hoping to protect his queens and run off with nine tricks.

South, who would have had a dandy time defending three no-trump, passed, but West converted to four hearts because of his singleton. South could have taken the first four tricks against that contract, but he decided to try his luck in four spades instead.

The queen of hearts lead held the first trick and West continued hearts, ruffed by South. A jump to three no-trump in an auction like this is usually based on a solid suit. West led the queen of hearts, which to South meant that East was likely to have a seven-card heart suit. Because he bid no-trump, he was also likely to have 7-2-2-2 distribution. This meant that the clubs were splitting 4-2 and could not provide declarer with another trick. South cashed one top spade and led a low diamond. East won and continued the suit to South’s ace. Declarer cashed the ace of clubs and the king of spades and led a spade to dummy’s jack. South led a club from dummy and ducked when East played the queen! East had to yield a ruff-sluff and the game rolled home.

East could have defeated the contract by playing his queen of clubs under the ace. That’s what you would have done, right?

Bob Jones welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to With Tannah Hirsch and Bob Jones Tribune Content Agency, LLC., 16650 We stgrove Dr., Suite 175 , Addison, TX 75001. E -mail tcaeditors@tribune.com.