Bridge Play

At the door to Traffic Court in a small town, a sign admonishes those about to enter: “Why complain? Think of all the tickets you deserved but didn’t get.”

Against today’s six hearts, West led the jack of clubs. South put up dummy’s ace, led

a trump to his hand and cashed the A-K of diamonds. He went to the queen of trumps and discarded his last club on the queen of diamonds.

Declarer next led a spade from dummy: deuce, king, three. He then drew the missing trump and led a second spade to dummy’s ten. When East took the ace, South claimed.

WARNING

South deserved a ticket, but we’ll let him off with a warning. After the queen of diamonds wins at Trick Six, South should continue with the jack. As it happens, East can’t ruff, and South discards a spade and loses only one more trick.

If East had a diamond left, or if he had a trump left and ruffed the jack of diamonds, South would be no worse off. He could ruff (or overruff) and try leading a spade to dummy’s ten.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ♠ A982 ♥ 73

♦ 852 ♣ K 8 7 4. The dealer, at your left, opens one diamond, your partner doubles and the next player bids one heart. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your side seems to have at least half of the high-card strength and is likely to have an eight-card trump fit in spades. Bid one spade. You don’t need much strength to compete at the one level. Think of it this way: Partner has “bid” spades, and you are supporting his suit.