FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

HONORABLE TECHNIQUE

Another letter arrived from the Society of Finessers, complaining that finesses never work in my columns.

“Sir: We must again protest your disdain for the finesse, an honorable technique that wins fully half the time — except in your deals. You are in contempt of the percentages!”

The Society won’t like today’s deal. At 3NT, dummy played low on the first spade, and East won and returned a spade. South then needed the next eight tricks, but when he led a diamond to his queen, West took the king and ran the spades. Down one.

“A club finesse would lose also,” the Society grumbles. Diamond Tricks

After South wins the second spade, he must test the hearts. If they broke 4-2, he would need diamond tricks and would try the finesse.

But when hearts break 3-3, South can combine his other chances. He takes the ace of diamonds and is home when the king falls. If East-West played low, South would finesse in clubs, hoping for three clubs, four hearts, a spade and a diamond. Daily Question

You hold: Q 10 A K 3 AQ963 ♣Q

♠ ♥ ♦ 10 4. The dealer, at your right, opens one diamond. What do you say?

Answer: I suggest you act according to the vulnerability. If the opponents are not vulnerable, overcall 1NT. You may not get too rich on defense, and you may have a game, so go after your own contract. If the opponents are vulnerable, pass. They may be headed for trouble, and you may be in line for a juicy penalty.

South dealer Neither side vulnerable