BRIDGE

MARITAL ISSUES

I read that there is a Pennsylvania law firm called Bickers and Bickers. (It may be a father-son/daughter tandem; my guess is that it’s husbandwife.) Many couples play bridge in perfect harmony. Others let the little frustrations of their marriage surface at the table. Against today’s four spades, West led a diamond, and South took the ace and led a low heart from dummy: four, ten, ace. East won the diamond return and shifted to the king of clubs, but South took the ace and led the queen of hearts, ruffing East’s king.

FIFTH HEART

Declarer next took the A-Q of trumps, pitched a club on the jack of hearts and ruffed a heart. He led a trump to dummy and threw his last club on the good fifth heart. Making five. East-West then engaged in some bickering. “Put up the king on the first heart,” West griped. “He goes down.” “You’re a result merchant,” East retorted. I’m afraid West had a case. It’s a mystery how East expected to beat four spades if South had the ace of hearts.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ♠ Q 10 2 ♥ Q J 8 3 2♦ A Q ♣ A 9 4. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart and he bids two clubs. What do you say? ANSWER: To jump to 3NT might work, but it would be a shame if partner passed with 4 3, A, K J 10 7 6, K Q 10 5 3, and the defenders took the first five tricks in spades. Many players would try two spades, a “fourth suit” bid to let partner make another descriptive bid. If he bids 2NT next, you can raise to 3NT with more assurance.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable