Bridge Play

“My partner and I argued about this deal,” today’s North told me. “I had a hand so bad it could have been condemned. I responded two diamonds, weak, to his two clubs, and bid 2NT over his two hearts. When he bid three spades next, I had to do something, so I bid four hearts.”

“He didn’t make it?” asked.

“He ruffed the third club, led a spade to dummy, returned a trump to his queen,

took the ace and led a third trump. East won and led his last club, forcing out partner’s last trump while East still had a trump. Down one.

“My partner says I should bid 3NT, which I would make, over three spades. I think he’s nuts.”

THIRD CLUB

I don’t feel strongly about North’s bid, but South can make four hearts. At Trick Four, he leads the ten of trumps.

If East wins, he can’t prevail by leading a club since dummy can ruff. But if East plays low, South leads a spade to dummy, returns a trump to his jack and takes the ace. He cashes his side-suit winners, and East gets only his high trump.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ♠ AKJ6 ♥ AQJ109

♦ AK ♣ 6 3. The dealer, at your right, opens three clubs. You double, and your partner bids three diamonds. What do you say?

ANSWER: Opposing preempts can give you major headaches. Assuming partner has a fair share of the missing high-card strength, your

hand is too promising to stop below game. Cue-bid four clubs. If partner bids four diamonds, try four hearts. If he jumps to five diamonds, he may make it.

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