Bridge Play

“Free finesses” are gratifying, but sometimes you get what you pay for.

Today’s East-West would have been minus 500 points if North had been granted a chance to double five hearts, but South couldn’t afford to pass since his one spade hadn’t shown any strength. He bid five spades, wondering if he might miss a slam.

West led his singleton diamond, and South played low from dummy, delighted at the free finesse. East also played low, and South won with the ten and led a trump. West took his ace, led a club to East and ruffed the diamond return for down one.

LAST CLUB

The “free” finesse cost South 750 points. Since West’s lead is surely a singleton, South must do what he can to avoid the impending ruff. South wins the first diamond with the king, takes the A-K of hearts to discard clubs, and then leads the jack to pitch his last club: a “scissors coup.”

West wins, but East can no longer gain the lead to give West a ruff. South loses only one more trick to the ace of trumps.

DAILY QUESTION

North dealer N-S vulnerable

NORTH

♠ Q106

♥ AKJ

♦ K432

♣ 963

WEST

A5 Q107642 9

Q854

EAST

7 9853 8765 A 10 7

SOUTH KJ98432 None

A J 10

KJ2 ♥(!)

You hold: ♠ Q106 ♥ AKJ ♦ K432 ♣ 9 6 3. The dealer, at your left, opens two diamonds, a weak two-bid. Your partner doubles, and the next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner promises opening values and will often have more since he obliges you to respond at the two level. He probably has support for the unbid suits but may have a strong hand with a suit he plans to bid. You cannot afford to stop below game. Jump to 3NT.