FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

STRAINED CREDULITY

“I contacted a credit- rating service,” Unlucky Louie told me, “and asked for a written report. They sent me my score — with a Burger King application attached to it.”

Louie’s credibility as declarer suffers because he plays without thinking. At today’s 3NT, he took the king of spades and swiftly cashed the K- A of clubs. When West discarded, Louie was in trouble; he couldn’t afford to concede a club.

So Louie led a diamond to his king and back to dummy’s jack. He took the ace and then the queen of clubs but was stuck in dummy. When he led a heart to his king next, West won and ran the spades for down one. North, of course, was incredulous.

Careful

Louie could take the cash and let the credit go if he were careful. A creditable play is to start the clubs with the A- K. If East- West followed, Louie would have nine easy tricks. When West discards, Louie leads a diamond to the jack. When the finesse wins and diamonds break 3- 2, Louie has five diamonds, three clubs and a spade.

Daily Question

You hold: ♠ 9 2 ♥ 10 3 ♦ A J 6 ♣ A Q 10 7 4 2. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond two clubs, he rebids two diamonds and you raise to three diamonds. Partner then bids three hearts. What do you say?

Answer: Your partner is trying for game. He may be hoping that you can bid 3NT. You can’t oblige, but you do have a sound hand for your previous bidding. Bid five diamonds. A possible hand for partner would be J 3, A 8 7, K Q 10 7 4 2, K 3. South dealer

E- W vulnerable