FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

MOPPING UP A GAME

“So, what’s Esther getting for Christmas?” I asked Unlucky Louie. “It’s harder every year to buy for her,” Louie sighed. “I’ve given her everything from a fur coat to a mop and bucket, and she’s never forgotten.”

“She probably won’t let you forget the mop and bucket either,” Cy the Cynic observed.

Louie was declarer at today’s four hearts, and West led the K-A and a third diamond. Louie ruffed, led a spade to dummy and returned a trump, finessing with his queen.

Down Two

West won and led the king of clubs, and Louie took his ace and drew trumps, groaning at West’s discard. Louie then tried a spade to dummy’s jack, hoping to get a pitch for his club loser. He went down two.

Louie forgot something: the auction.

West was a big favorite to have 10 minor-suit cards. When he followed to a spade, he couldn’t have as many as three trumps, so Louie couldn’t pick up the king even if a finesse won. Louie must take the ace of trumps, hoping West has a singleton king.

Daily Question

You hold: ♠ 10 4 ♥ K ♦ A KJ94 ♣ K Q

J 4 2. Your partner opens one spade, you respond two diamonds, he bids two hearts and you try three clubs. Partner then bids 3NT. What do you say? Answer: Though your partner’s bidding has not been encouraging, slam is possible. There is no reason why he couldn’t hold A K 6 5 3, A Q 7 6, Q 7,

8 3. Bid 4NT. Since no trump suit is agreed, this is a “quantitative” try for slam. Partner should bid again with extra strength.

West dealer

Both sides vulnerable