BRIDGE

A MAN, A PLAN, DOWN ONE “You never mention your colleagues,” I said to my friend the English professor. “Do any of them have interesting specialties?”

“We have an authority on palindromes,” the prof said: “Dr. Awkward.”

Today’s declarer found the play at his slam awkward. He put up dummy’s king of clubs, and East won and returned a club. South threw a diamond and took the queen. South next cashed the A-K of diamonds and ruffed a diamond high. He led a spade to his king and ruffed his last diamond high. He had no more side losers, but it did him no good: When he led a trump to his ace, West discarded, and East got a trump trick.

Able Was I “Able was I ere I saw Elba,” the prof muttered at South, “and ere I saw you play the dummy.” South can lead a trump to his ace at Trick Three. When West shows out, South continues thus: A-K of diamonds, K-A of spades, spade ruff, diamond ruff high, club ruff, diamond ruff high. He wins the last two tricks with high trumps.

Daily Question

You hold: ♠ A 8 5 2 ♥ Q 10 5 3 ♦ 65 ♣ K Q 2. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart, he bids two clubs and you try 2NT. Partner then bids three diamonds. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your partner suggests six diamonds, four clubs and extra strength. With a minimum 6-4 hand, he would have rebid two diamonds. Bid three spades, showing something in spades but doubt about notrump. If partner has 3, K 6, A Q J 10 7 4, A J 9 4, five diamonds will be best. South dealer N-S vulnerable