Bridge Taking a rosy view

“A pessimist may

be right over the long haul, but an optimist has a better time on the trip.” — an unknown sage

Some people might view South’s leap to 3NT as optimistic, but North had overcalled at the two level, vulnerable. He rated to have a good six-card suit with opening values or more. So South’s bid wasn’t reckless.

West led a low spade, and South won and led a diamond. When West played low, declarer finessed with dummy’s jack. East took the queen and returned his last spade. West won, led a third spade and got in with the ace of diamonds to cash two spades. Down one.

CLUB FINESSE

South didn’t need to be an optimist in the play. At Trick Two he can lead a diamond to dummy’s king. He next loses a club finesse but has four clubs, one diamond, two hearts — and time to set up his ninth trick in spades.

If West grabbed the first diamond to continue spades, South could win and lead a diamond to the jack. He would win four diamonds, two hearts, two spades and one club.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ♠ A 9 8 7 4 ♥ Q 6 3 ♦ A2 ♣ K 3 2. You open one spade, your partner bids two hearts, you raise to three hearts and he bids four clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER:

Hearts is the agreed trump suit. Partner’s four clubs shows slam interest and a club “control” — almost surely the ace. Since your values are minimum, to sign off at four hearts would be defensible, but the hand has aces, a heart honor and the king of clubs. Cue-bid four diamonds. West dealer

N-S vulnerable