Procrastination pays

FRANK STEWART

“YOU’RE the world’s worst procrastinator,” I told Cy the Cynic. “Don’t deny it.”

“I’m no procrastinator,” Cy growled. “I just haven’t finished doing nothing yet.”

Cy would put off his own funeral. The only time his delaying tactics are helpful is when he is declarer. Cy knows the benefits of waiting to draw trumps.

Against today’s four hearts, West leads a diamond to dummy’s ace. Say declarer draws trumps and starts the spades. When they break 4-1, he needs a club trick. He concedes a club, ruffs the diamond return and concedes a club. But then another diamond forces out declarer’s last trump, and the defense cashes diamonds when they win the third club.

SECOND TRICK

Since bad breaks may be troublesome, South should wait to draw trumps and lead a club at Trick Two. If East wins and leads a diamond, South gets a ruff-sluff and is safe for 10 tricks.

If instead East shifts to his singleton spade, South can win in his hand and draw trumps. Then he has time to set up a club trick. DAILY QUESTION

You hold: A K 4 3 K Q 10 9 5 4 7 6 5. You open one heart, your partner responds one spade, you raise to two spades and he tries 2NT. What do you say?

ANSWER

Your partner has tried for game. He has about 11 points and probably has balanced pattern and only four so-so spades. Your hand is worth about 15 points in support of spades, and you have four strong trumps. Jump to four spades. Partner may need a bit of luck, but such is life. North dealer Boths sides vulnerable Opening lead – ♦5

2017