Daily Bridge Club

Online instruction

The internet has made improving your play easier. An excellent, inexpensive resource is Vu-Bridge. You are sent deals to bid and play interactively, with expert analysis.

In today’s deal, you are given South’s hand to bid. A jump to three spades at your second turn would be acceptable, but a bid of two diamonds is flexible.

At four spades, you win West’s ten of diamonds lead. The Vu-Bridge commentary warns you to count your winners. You have six trumps, two diamonds and a club. Just one diamond ruff in dummy will suffice.

SECOND TRICK

In case West led a singleton, lead a low diamond at the second trick. East wins and shifts to the nine of trumps, but you win in your hand and ruff your last low diamond in dummy. If you try to cash a second high diamond at Trick Two, West ruffs and leads a trump. Down you go.

Vu-Bridge has material for players of all skill levels. For info, see baronbarclay.com. Get a free catalog of books, instructional software and other bridge-related items.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: 7 6 3 2 A Q 7 2 10 Q 7 4 2. The dealer, at your left, opens one club. Your partner doubles, and the next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: It may look odd, but the right response (“advance,” in modern terminology) is one spade. Suppose the auction turns competitive: The opening bidder rebids two clubs, and two passes follow. Then you can bid two hearts and play at the two level at the major suit your partner prefers. South dealer N-S vulnerable