FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

TOUCHY SUBJECT

“My wife insisted that I booted this contract,” a club player complained to me. “I told her to change the subject.’” “Did that do you any good?” “She said, ‘OK, this contract was booted by you.’” At four spades, my friend took the ace of hearts, cashed the ace of trumps and finessed with his jack, the percentage play in the trump suit. “West took the queen,” declarer said, “and led another heart. I won, came to the king of clubs, drew the missing trump and led a club to dummy’s jack. I went down when East took the queen and cashed his queen of hearts. I say I was victimized by bad luck — or bad luck victimized me.”

Best Play

South can afford to lose a trump, a club and a diamond. He must avoid losing a heart. After he wins the first heart, his best play is to cash the top trumps, gaining time, then take the K-A of clubs. When East-west follow low, South concedes a club to the queen. He wins East’s heart return and discards his last heart on dummy’s high club.

Daily Question

You hold: K J 9 7 6 3 5 4 2 10 K7 ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ 3. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one spade, he bids two clubs and you rebid two spades. Partner then raises to three spades. What do you say? Answer: This case is close, but if partner’s hand is short in hearts as indicated, his values are likely to be useful, and the play may go well. His hand may be A 8, 7 6, A K 6 5 3, A J 5 4. Bid four spades, especially if you’re vulnerable, with more to gain by scoring game.