FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

LOUIE’S STOCK PURCHASE

“I made another speculative investment,” Unlucky Louie told me in the club lounge. He has beaten his head against Wall Street for years. “I bought into a company that makes glass caskets.”

“What sort of business model is that?” I asked doubtfully.

“Remains to be seen,” Louie shrugged. Louie was declarer at today’s slam, and West led the queen of hearts. For once, Louie considered carefully — and then played low from dummy and ruffed in his hand. What he would discard on the ace ... remained to be seen.

Discard

Louie next led a low spade. West had to play low. If he rose with the ace, Louie would get a diamond discard from dummy on the king later. When dummy’s queen won, Louie ruffed a heart, took the A-Q of trumps, discarded a spade on the ace of hearts and ruffed the last heart. Louie then led the king of spades, and when West won, he was endplayed. He had to lead a diamond from his king or concede a fatal ruffsluff, and the slam was home. Well timed, Louie.

Daily Question

You hold: ♠ Q 5 ♥ A75 3 ♦ Q 9 ♣Q

9 8 7 2. The dealer, at your left, opens one spade. Your partner doubles, and you bid two hearts. The opening bidder rebids two spades, and two passes follow. What do you say?

Answer: You responded two hearts to aim toward the most likely game. (If you held 7 5, A Q 5 3, Q 9, Q 9 8 7 2, you could have jumped to three hearts.) Don’t sell out at the two level when you have this much strength. Bid three clubs. West dealer

Both sides vulnerable