Daily Bridge Club

Burnt toast

“My wife and I play,” a club regular told me, “and when I goof, she always says, ‘I’m not mad.’ It’s like hearing a dentist say, ‘This won’t hurt a bit.’”

My friend was declarer at today’s 3NT, and West led the seven of spades: three, nine, king. South led a heart to dummy and returned a low diamond to his jack. The finesse won, but when he cashed the king, West discarded.

“I had eight tricks,” South said, “but no chance for a ninth. My wife said she wasn’t mad, but the next morning at breakfast, she burned my toast.”

SPADE RETURN

South could placate his wife with good technique. He needs four diamond tricks without letting East get in for a fatal spade return. At Trick Three, South should lead the ten of diamonds, planning to let it ride.

If East’s queen covers, South takes the king, leads a second heart to dummy and returns a diamond to his eight. As the cards lie, he makes an overtrick, but the contract will be safe in any case.

This week: “avoidance” plays. opens one spade, you respond two diamonds and he bids two hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: To raise to four hearts might work; to play at a strong 4-3 fit might offer the only chance for game. To bid 3NT might work also, but if partner’s club holding is Q-x, he should be declarer at notrump. Bid three clubs, the “fourth suit,” to preserve your chances to reach the best game. North dealer Neither side vulnerable