FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

SECONDHAND ROSE

The player we call Secondhand Rose was at my club today. When the lesson about “second hand low” on defense was taught, Rose must have been out dating Jiggs the plumber. As West, Rose led the king of clubs against four spades. North’s raise to game had a preemptive flavor.

With great strength, he could have redoubled at his second turn. South took the ace and led a trump, and Secondhand Rose ... with the king! South was stuck. If he played low, West would cash two clubs, and East will still get a trump trick. But when South took the ace, came to his jack of diamonds and led a second trump, East took the ten and queen, and South ended a trick short. First Trump

South makes his game if Rose plays low on the first trump; South may play dummy’s jack. East takes the queen and returns, say, a heart, and South ruffs in dummy and cashes the ace of trumps. South can then run the diamonds and finish with a crossruff. East’s high trump wins the defenders’ third and last trick. Daily Question

You hold: ♠ K 2 ♥ A J 8 6 3 ♦ 5 ♣ KQ J 10 2. You open one heart, your partner responds one spade, you bid two clubs and he raises to three clubs. What do you say?

Answer: This is a time to bid what you think you can make. Your partner promises four-card or better support for your second suit, and he may have a singleton in hearts. Moreover, your king of spades looks like a useful card. Bid five clubs. Partner may hold A 8 6 5 3, 7, Q 8 6, A 9 7 3.

North dealer E-W vulnerable