FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

REELING IN A CONTRACT

“Do you know much about ichthyology?” Cy the Cynic asked me. “Not a thing,” I replied.

“Well, I read that the swordfish has no natural enemies,” Cy said, “except for something called a penfish, which is said to be even mightier.” “What’s this about?”

“I’ve decided Wendy and I are natural enemies,” the Cynic growled. Wendy, my club’s feminist, and Cy are always at odds, even when they cut as partners in my club’s penny game. They were today’s East- West, and Cy led a low spade against 3NT. Declarer won with dummy’s ten, led a diamond to his queen and returned a diamond. Cy threw a club, and Wendy took the ace and led ... her last spade. South made three overtricks.

Sucker “Wendy told me I was a sucker,” Cy said. Not to carp, but Cy could have helped his partner by pitching the queen of spades on the second diamond, both discouraging a spade return and suggesting heart strength. Then, if Wendy finds a good shift to the jack of hearts, the defense prevails.

Daily Question

You hold: ♠ Q J 8 7 4 ♥ A 10 6 2 ♦ 2 ♣8 5 2. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one spade and he rebids two diamonds. What do you say? Answer: Two diamonds may not be the contract you lusted after, but you must pass. Partner has a minimum hand with at least six diamonds, and two diamonds may be your last makeable contract. A bid of two hearts would be forcing and unlimited in strength and might get you overboard.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable