FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

SPECTACULAR DEFENSE

I found Cy the Cynic sitting at a table in a corner of the club lounge, nursing a large drink.

“He’s trying to drown his sorrows,” Rose told me, “but it looks like they know how to swim.”

“Minnie nailed him again?” I asked. Minnie Bottoms, our senior member, wears old bifocals that make her mix up kings and jacks, often to her opponents’ dismay. Cy has been Minnie’s chief victim. He was today’s South at four spades doubled. Minnie was East.

Second Trick

“West led the jack of hearts to Minnie’s ace,” Rose told me, “and she shifted to the jack (!) of diamonds. Cy took dummy’s king and called for a trump — and Minnie said she’d won the second trick!”

“She thought her jack of diamonds was the king,” I said. “She was cashing out.” “They set her straight,” Rose went on, “but when Minnie took her ace of trumps, she led a low diamond. West won and gave Minnie a heart ruff for down one.”

Cy has my sympathy. Only the lead of the jack of diamonds beats four spades.

Daily Question

You hold: ♠ Q J 10 9 6 2 ♥ Q 6 ♦ 10 9

♣ K Q 5. Your partner opens one club, you respond one spade and he bids 1NT. South in today’s deal then jumped to three spades with this hand. Do you agree with his call?

Answer: South’s three spades was invitational, not forcing, but it seems aggressive with only 10 highcard points and no aces. (North had 14 good points, but four spades was a shaky contract.) Bid two spades to assure a plus score. North dealer

Both sides vulnerable