DAILY BRIDGE CLUB Removing an option in this hand

“My husband and I go over the deals we play,” a club player told me. “When I do something wrong, we ‘discuss’ it, and it’s like hearing, ‘This conversation will be recorded for training and quality purposes.’”

My friend was East. West’s two clubs conventionally showed length in both majors. North’s three hearts was a “splinter,” showing a club fit and heart shortness. Against six clubs, West led the king of hearts.

“I played the 10,” East said, “and my husband led another heart. Declarer ruffed in dummy, drew trumps and took the top diamonds. When West discarded, South shrugged and led a spade to his queen. Making six. My husband said we’d discuss the deal later.”

East missed a good defense: She must overtake West’s king of hearts and lead a spade.

South could finesse but will take the ace and rely on dummy’s diamonds. If they broke 4-2, South could set up the long diamond for a spade discard. As it is, he fails. East’s defense removes one of his options.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: AQ 853 93

A K 10 6 5 4. Your partner opens one heart, you respond two clubs and he bids two diamonds. What do you say?

ANSWER: The disciplined call is three hearts, showing three-card support for partner’s major suit — with a forcing jump. I’m a believer in discipline, but I could accept a bid of 3NT. You have two spade stoppers and a possible source of tricks in clubs, and a bad trump break might sink a heart contract.