FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

IMPETUOUS PLAY

Cy the Cynic’s former occupation is a mystery at my club. Cy won’t talk about it. Some think he never worked a day in his life.

“The guy is so lazy,” Rose said to me. “If he ever had a job, it wasn’t in an office. All he knows about nine-to-five is that it’s good odds on a horse.”

Cy always adopts the first line of play he sees — with no regard for the consequences. His laziness is often costly. In today’s deal, Cy bid himself to four spades, and East doubled for no good reason. West led his singleton club, and the Cynic took the ace and led a trump to dummy’s queen.

Trump Trick

East won and led a high club, and Cy ruffed. West overruffed and led a heart, and East won and led another club. Whether Cy ruffed high or low, West would win another trump trick. Down one.

Cy was impetuous as usual, and it cost 990 points. On the second club, Cy must pitch his heart loser. He ruffs the next club, and though West can overruff, Cy can win any return and claim his doubled contract.

Daily Question

You hold: ♠ Q ♥ K 10 9 5 ♦ K 7 5 4 ♣ 8 7 5 2. Your partner opens one spade, you respond 1NT and he bids two hearts. What do you say?

Answer: This problem is awkward in “Standard” bidding, where opening bidder’s non-jump change of suit covers a wide range of hands. Partner may have a minimum hand with five spades and four hearts, or a fair hand with 5-5 in the majors, or a strongish hand. Pass. If you miss a game, blame the system.

South dealer

Both sides vulnerable