Daily Bridge Club

Test your defense

To end the week, go to work on this defensive problem. As East you open 1NT, and South bids two hearts. Players use various conventional gadgets to compete over a 1NT opening, but South’s bid shows hearts. His hand won’t be too strong since he did not double 1NT for penalty.

West leads the ace of diamonds, you signal with the seven, and he leads the deuce to your jack. South follows with the four and five.

How do you continue to win six tricks?

SPADE LOSERS

South seems to have four diamonds and probably has six hearts. If he has two spade losers and the singleton ace of clubs, you may take two spades, three diamonds and your ace of trumps. But if declarer has just one low spade, you will need an extra trick — almost surely in diamonds.

To cash the king and lead a fourth diamond won’t work. Lead a low diamond at Trick Three to let West ruff. If he is on the ball, he will lead a trump next, and you will take the ace and return a trump. South will have a diamond loser.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ♠ 6 ♥ K Q 10 9 4 3 ♦ 10 8 5 4 ♣ A 2. Both sides vulnerable. You deal and open two hearts (weak). Your partner raises to three hearts, and the next player bids three spades. What do you say?

ANSWER: Though you may feel an urge to bid four hearts, your opening call was descriptive, and you must keep silent. Partner’s three hearts did not invite game; it was an additional preempt. Pass. He knows about what you have; let him make the partnership decisions. East dealer Neither side vulnerable