BRIDGE

Friday, November 24

Many good bridge books appeared recently, including “Battling the Best,” Sartaj Hans’ penetrating and award-winning account of a major tournament, and “The Abbot’s Return to Earth,” rib-tickling humor by David Bird.

“Judgment at Bridge 2” by prolific author Mike Lawrence has solid, practical advice on bidding. (In this convention-happy world, I was gratified to read a book that lists conventions players should avoid.)

Lawrence notes that when your partner preempts and the next player doubles, your bid in a new suit should be leaddirecting. If today’s East raises to three hearts at his first turn, West will lead a heart — disastrously — against the eventual four spades.

But East’s three clubs shows heart tolerance and club strength, so West leads the jack of clubs. The defense takes three clubs, and when East leads a fourth club, they also get a trump.

Baron Barclay has everything in print, instructional software and other bridge-related items. See baronbarclay.com.

DAILY QUESTION:

You hold: AQ974 Q7 K53 8 4 2. Your partner opens one heart, you respond one spade and he rebids two hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner’s two hearts promises six or more hearts. He would never be compelled to rebid a five-card suit here. He could instead bid 1NT or bid two of a minor suit or support the spades. You have enough strength to invite game, but your club weakness warns against bidding 2NT. Raise to three hearts.