FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

SOMNOLENT PLAY

I read somewhere that, according to a study, the average person falls asleep in about seven minutes. Not to doubt scientific research, but I’ve seen bridge players fall asleep in less time — between the end of the auction and the play to the first trick.

In today’s deal, West led the seven of spades against 3NT, and when East played the jack, South won with the queen and started the hearts. West won and continued with the king of spades. South took the ace and led another heart, but West produced the ace — and took three spades for down one.

Entries

South was somnolent. The contract is in danger only if West has a fivecard spade suit plus two entries, so South should let East’s jack win the first spade. When East must shift, South has time to force out West’s high hearts, making an overtrick. Suppose East had a second spade to return. South could take the ace and start the hearts. No matter how the cards lay, he could lose no more than two spades and two hearts.

Daily Question

You hold: AQ52 10 7 4 K Q 8 ♣Q ♠ ♥ ♦ 10 5. Your partner opens one heart. South in today’s deal responded 2NT with this hand. Do you agree with that call?

Answer: South’s bid gave an overall description of his hand, but most players would have bid one spade, treating the search for a majorsuit fit as a priority. Also, many pairs use a 2NT response to a majorsuit opening as a conventional forcing raise. Today’s North-south had no such agreement.

North dealer N-S vulnerable