The Palm Beach Post

DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

- BY FRANK STEWART

Surveys found that the most popular name for boats is “Obsession.” That also applies to some players’ view of drawing trumps.

At today’s four spades, South took the ace of hearts and tried to draw trumps with the A-K. When West discarded, South led the A-K and a third diamond. East took his jack and returned a heart.

South won but had no dummy entry to pitch his last heart on the high 10 of diamonds. When he led a club to the king, East won, took his high trump and led a heart to West’s jack.

South must have been obsessive about drawing trumps. He can afford a trump loser but not a heart. South should take the ace of trumps at Trick Two, then start the diamonds. East wins the third diamond and returns a heart, and South wins, goes to the king of trumps and throws his last heart on the high diamond.

If East won the third diamond and led a fourth, South would discard a heart. If West ruffed, South could later draw trumps, losing three tricks in all.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ AJ943 ♥ AQ4

◆ AK2 ♣ Q 5. The dealer, at your right, opens one club. You double, and your partner responds one heart. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: Take care. Your partner may have no points, and your queen of clubs may be worthless. Bid one spade, showing 17 or more points. If partner has anything, he will bid again. If he is broke, maybe you can make one spade.

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