FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

STOCKING STUFFERS

Many good books appeared in 2021, including Mike Lawrence’s “Insights on Bridge,” Randy Baron’s “The Only Bridge Book You’ll Ever Need” and “On the Other Hand” by David Bird and Larry Cohen. To stuff your favorite partner’s stocking, try Alan Truscott’s set of flash cards on suit combinations — the building blocks of good play. South’s leap to slam is questionable: The A-K of spades might be missing or the best spot might be 6NT. At six hearts, South wins the second club and must pick up the trumps. Finesse

If South had 5-3-2 opposite A-K-J-10-4, he would cash the ace before finessing with the jack, guarding against a singleton queen offside. Here, South should lead to the jack immediately. He loses if West has the bare queen but gains if West has a low singleton: four times as likely. Similarly, Truscott notes that with A-K-4-3-2 opposite J-10-9, a first-round finesse is correct. Baron Barclay has books and software, plus holiday gifts for bridge players. See baronbarclay.com.

Daily Question

You hold: ♠ AKQ ♥ 7 2 ♦ K 6 4 3 ♣ KJ5 2. Your partner opens 1NT, promising 15 to 17 points. What do you say?

Answer: If partner has a maximum 17-point hand, or 16 with good spot cards or a five-card suit, you will be a favorite at 6NT. Bid 4NT, not ace-asking but a “quantitative” try for slam, and let partner judge. True, if he has 7 6, A K 6 3, A 9 5 2, A 4 3, you belong at six diamonds. A convention such as “Twoway Stayman” can uncover minor-suit fits.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable