Daily Bridge Club

Senior moments

A friend of mine who has seen his three score and ten was stopped for driving 50 mph in a 35 mph zone. Unable to talk his way out of a citation, he asked the officer if he could get a senior citizen discount on his fine.

It’s too bad “senior moment” discounts aren’t available when a bridge player chucks points due to an aberration. Today’s West led the seven of diamonds against 3NT, East played the jack, and South had a moment of some kind — not a good one — when he took the king.

FINESSE

South next finessed in clubs, and East won and returned the nine of diamonds. The defense ran four diamonds for down one.

I can’t say where South’s mind was when he won the first diamond, but he threw away 700 points. He must let East’s jack win and play low again when East continues with the nine.

On the third diamond, West can capture South’s king and lead a fourth diamond, but then when South loses the club finesse, East has no more diamonds. South loses only four tricks in all.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: KQ5 K652 6 A J 10 8 6. Your partner deals and opens one diamond, and the next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: To find a fit in a major suit is a priority, but to respond one heart here would be an error. Since you have plenty of strength and will commit to reaching game, respond two clubs, showing your good long suit. If partner rebids two diamonds (likely), you can continue with a bid of two hearts. North dealer N-S vulnerable