FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

DEFENDING A TITLE

To win a major event at the North American Championships is hard enough. To successfully defend your title is indeed impressive. At the Spring NABC, Mark Dahl and Richard Oshlag repeated their 2017 win in the Fast Pairs.

When Oshlag opened 2NT in today’s deal, Dahl’s response of three hearts was a “transfer.” Over Oshlag’s three-spade acceptance, Dahl risked 3NT; if Oshlag passed, as he did, Dahl hoped the diamonds would run. With an awkward choice of opening leads, West tried a low heart: five, jack, queen. Oshlag had only eight sure tricks, but he next took the A-K of diamonds. When West pitched a club, Oshlag exited with the nine of hearts.

Ninth Trick

West won with the ten but was stuck. Whether he returned a heart or led a black suit, he would concede the ninth trick. Plus 600 was worth most of the matchpoints to Dahl-Oshlag. A club opening lead would not beat 3NT if South played to best advantage. West’s only effective lead would be the king or ten of hearts!

Daily Question You hold:

♠ A8 ♥ K 10 6 4 3 ♦ 10 ♣ A J 10 8 7. Your partner opens one diamond, you bid one heart and he raises to three hearts. What do you say?

Slam chances are bright. Your partner has a hand worth about 17 points in support of hearts with four-card support. Since he did not open 1NT, his pattern will not be balanced. Cue-bid three spades. If partner has K 6 3, A Q 7 5, A K 6 4 2, 3, you will be a heavy favorite at six hearts.

Answer: South dealer N-S vulnerable