Bridge Play

“My husband and I play together,” a member of my club told me. “He’s faster than me, and it’s a case of

‘she who hesitates is bossed.’

If I take time to think, he gets impatient.”

My friend said she had been West in today’s deal and led the jack of spades against

South’s three hearts. (North might have made 3NT.)

“My jack won,” West told me, “and I paused to consider, as is my habit. My husband fidgeted in his chair and sighed, as if he was urging me to get on with it, so I mentally shrugged and continued with the ten of spades. My husband took the queen and ace and led a club to my ace. South won the next club, drew trumps and claimed nine tricks.”

BEST DEFENSE

If West takes her time, she may find the best defense. West can expect South to have at least three spades, so West can take her ace of clubs at Trick Two, then continue spades. On the third spade, she discards her deuce of clubs and gets a club ruff for down one.

A good player lets his partner play at her own pace.

DAILY QUESTION

South dealer N-S vulnerable

NORTH K32 Q64 AJ10 Q1098

WEST

J10 8532 Q9763 A2

EAST AQ95 7 K854 6543

SOUTH 8764 AKJ109 2

KJ7

West North Pass 2

Pass 3

East Pass

All Pass

You hold: J10 8532 Q9763 A 2. The dealer, at your left, opens one club. Your partner doubles, you respond (“advance”) one heart, the opening bidder rebids two clubs and two passes follow. What do you say?

ANSWER: You can’t sell out at the two level when your side has at least half of the high-card strength in the deck and has a trump fit available. Bid two diamonds. If your red-suit holdings were reversed, you would bid two hearts.