Test your defense

Today’s deal (reported by Barry Rigal) arose in the Mixed Pairs at the Spring NABC. Cover the West/South cards and defend as East. Against 3NT, West leads the five of clubs. Dummy plays low. Your thoughts?

South has at least one club honor. If West had the A-J, South would have put up dummy’s king. West could have A-x-x-x-x-x-x, but that is unlikely with so many lower club spots missing.

If South has the ace, you won’t beat 3NT; he has eight top tricks and can surely develop more in a red suit. If he has A-J, your play is moot.

LONG CLUBS

The crucial case is when West has A-8-x-x-x-x. If you play the queen on the first club, West can win your club return and set up his suit, but he won’t regain the lead to take his long clubs.

Your winning play is the ten of clubs. You will get in with the king of diamonds later to lead the queen of clubs, and West overtakes to run the clubs. South could succeed by letting your ten win; he would need a crystal ball to find that play.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ♠ 9742 ♥ A 10 8 ♦ K 8 7 5 ♣ Q 10. The dealer, at your left, opens one heart. Your partner doubles, and the next player bids three hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your opponent’s three hearts is preemptive, but you can compete. Some players would solve the problem with a “responsive double.” Others would bid three spades. To bid a weak suit is unpleasant, but what you are really doing is “supporting” a suit partner’s double implied. East dealer Both sides vulnerable