FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

MAD BRIDGE PARTY 2

“I do believe, child,” the Queen of Diamonds told Alice, “that you’re as stubborn as my cousin the Queen of Hearts. She can’t stand to be captured, but I’ve told you that losing a trick can be better than winning one. And you still don’t believe me.”

“I was taught otherwise, your majesty,” Alice said wearily.

“Deal the cards and I’ll show you — again,” the Queen sighed.

Alice played at today’s 3NT, and West, the Mad Hatter, led a club, won by dummy’s jack. Alice knew that West had the A-Q of clubs, and if East won a trick, a club return might be fatal. So Alice had to set up the diamonds without letting East get in.

Unblock

At Trick Two, dummy led a diamond ... and East, the Dormouse, put up his queen, preventing Alice from passing the trick to West. Moreover, when Alice took the ace, the Hatter unblocked his jack. Then East won the third diamond, and down Alice went.

“What did I tell you?” the Queen of Diamonds said. “Without those defensive plays, you are safe.”

Daily Question

You hold: ♠ 8 4 ♥ A K 9 ♦ A 9 8 6 5 ♣ K 9 4. You open one diamond, your partner responds one spade, you bid 1NT and he jumps to three diamonds. What do you say?

Answer: If partner’s jumppreference is forcing, bid 3NT or, better still, bid three hearts to show a concentration of values in hearts. If his three diamonds is invitational — and some partnerships so treat it — you should still bid again. Your hand is much better than minimum.

South dealer N-S vulnerable