FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

READ IT AND WEEP

“I read somewhere,” Cy the Cynic told me, “that people invariably say ‘I read somewhere’ right before they quote some dubious statistic.”

“So what is that to you?”

Cy showed me today’s deal. He had been North, and South played at 6NT. South took the ace of diamonds, cashed the ace of clubs and let the jack ride. West produced the queen and exited with a diamond. South had only 11 tricks and lost a spade to West at the end. “I read somewhere,” South had said, “that West’s preempt affects the odds in clubs; it was right to finesse against East.”

Two Clubs

South shouldn’t believe all he reads. He could lead a spade to his queen at Trick Two, losing, win the spade return and take his red-suit tricks. He would learn that West held seven spades, two hearts and two diamonds, so two clubs. South could also cash his red-suit winners, then take the ace of clubs and pass the jack. If West won, he would have only spades left, and South would get a free finesse and his 12th trick. Daily Question

You hold: ♠ AQ ♥ A Q 10 ♦ Q98 ♣ K 9 8 6 2. The dealer, at your right, opens one diamond. You overcall 1NT, and your partner bids two hearts. The opponents pass. What do you say?

Answer: Assuming partner’s bid is natural, not conventional, you must trust him and pass. Your 1NT described your hand, and he placed the contract. Many pairs use “transfer” responses after 1NT overcalls as well as after opening bids. If that is your agreement, bid two spades.

West dealer

Both sides vulnerable