Bridge Play

Reading is essential to improving your game. Many good books appeared in 2022, including John Carruthers’ wonderful “Bridge with Another Perfect Partner.”

Volume 3 of Mike Lawrence’s outstanding “Insights on Bridge” series is out. Writing in an engaging style, Lawrence offers practical advice in every area of the game.

Today’s East panics and passes West’s double of one diamond. West leads a trump, the textbook lead when partner converted a low-level takeout double to penalty. South wins four trump tricks, the top clubs, a club ruff in dummy and a heart. He could actually make two overtricks.

SEVEN TRICKS

Lawrence notes that East needs better diamonds and a better hand to pass; he should bid one heart. If he plays there, he’ll win seven tricks. (Probably, South will bid 1NT and make it, but North-South won’t be plus 540.)

Mike Lawrence is a prolific author; all his books are excellent. Baron Barclay has everything in print plus instructional software. See baronbarclay.com.

DAILY QUESTION ♠

You hold: AQ8 ♥ KQ73

♦ 5 ♣ Q 8 7 3 2. You open one club, and your partner bids one spade. What do you say?

ANSWER: To rebid two clubs on a ragged five-card suit would be hideous, nor is your hand strong enough for a “reverse” to two hearts. Your best call is a raise to two spades. Since partner may have responded on a four-card suit, you would rather have four-card support. But even if he must cope with a 4-3 fit, he may do well in the play.