FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

Overberried

I was in the club lounge when a kibitzer came in from the penny game, shaking his head.

“I saw it and don’t believe it,” he said. “The man was handed a vulnerable game on a plate, garnished with salt and parsley, and he handed it back by trying for an overtrick.” Joe Overberry thinks it’s nobler to go down in pursuit of overtricks than to make his bid. In today’s deal, his four-heart opening bid was passed out. West could have prevailed by leading his singleton diamond, but he chose the queen of clubs.

Second Diamond

Joe ruffed the second club, drew trumps and led ... a diamond: nine, king, ace. East returned the jack. Joe won and tried a spade finesse, but West won, and Joe also lost a second diamond.

“If West had the ace of diamonds,” Joe insisted, “I might make an overtrick.”

Joe committed an atrocity. After he draws trumps, he must lead the A-J of spades. Later, he gets to dummy with a diamond honor to throw a diamond on the queen of spades, making the contract.

Daily Question

You hold: ♠ K9732 ♥ J 5 3 ♦ 9 ♣ Q J 10 2. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one spade and he next bids two hearts. What do you say?

Answer: Your partner’s second bid is a “reverse” and promises substantial extra strength. (In some partnerships, it would force to game.) For you to bid 2NT or three clubs now would be reasonable. In some styles, you would be obliged to rebid the five-card spade suit. Whatever you do, don’t pass.

West dealer

Both sides vulnerable