Extra chance

YIJI Starr was today’s declarer in the Women’s Pairs at the ACBL Spring Championships. I confess that I would have held more points to act over two spades as North, and I would have risked six clubs as South.

West led an ill-judged ten of spades, and dummy played low. East took the ace and led the five of hearts: three, jack, king.

Starr saw that she could make an overtrick by pitching her heart loser on the king of spades and finessing in diamonds, but she spotted extra chances. She took the A-K of trumps and the ace of diamonds, led a trump to dummy, threw her last diamond on the king of spades and ruffed a diamond.

DISCARD

When West followed with the ten, Starr led a trump to dummy and ruffed another diamond to drop the king. Dummy’s queen was high for a heart discard, making six.

Starr retained the option of taking a ruffing finesse in diamonds or of playing for a red-suit squeeze against West. This deal helped her and Pamela Granovetter to victory in the event. DAILY QUESTION: You hold: K6 AK6 QJ52 8 6 3 2. Your partner opens one diamond. The next player passes. What do you say? ANSWER: This problem looks straightforward but would be awkward for some pairs. Most pairs treat a direct jump to three diamonds as preemptive or invitational. Many pairs use “inverted” minor-suit raises and could bid two diamonds, forcing. I don’t advocate that treatment, but certainly any partnership needs some forcing raise in a minor. West dealer Both sides vulnerable

NORTH