Spectacular play

“MINNIE was in the penny game today,” Cy the Cynic told me. “She wanted to play for only a quarter of a cent, so Ed offered to take the rest of her action.”

Minnie Bottoms, my club’s senior member, wears old bifocals that make her mix up kings and jacks, often to her opponents’ dismay. Ed is the club expert.

“If Minnie was in form,” I said, “Ed won even more money than usual.”

“She was West,” Cy said, showing today’s deal, “Ed was East. Minnie led a trump against four spades, and South drew trumps and attacked the clubs. He cashed the ace, and Minnie played the king, thinking it was the jack, of course.”

THIRD CLUB

“So Ed won the third club,” I said, “and led the jack of hearts, and South lost two hearts and two diamonds. Down two.”

“Ed praised Minnie’s defence,” Cy said. “She said she knew enough to signal high with a doubleton.”

South makes game if Minnie keeps her king of clubs. He would succeed even against Minnie by leading a low club first, not the ace.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: AQ 9 6 2 K94 KJ A 8 4. The dealer, at your right, opens one diamond. What do you say?

ANSWER: This case is close. You have 17 high-card points, but your jack of diamonds may be worthless. As opposed to that, your red-suit kings are promoted and your fifth spade may be a winner. I would overcall one spade. If you prefer to stretch a tad by doubling, intending to bid spades next to show substantial extra strength, I can understand.

South dealer Both sides vulnerable

NORTH