BRIDGE

“Knowledge is proud that he knows so much; wisdom is humble that he knows no more.”

The English poet William Cowper (1731-1800) wasn’t a bridge player, but anyone who can separate knowledge from wisdom can be a good one. In today’s deal, West led the deuce of hearts against five clubs, and East took the jack and ace. He next led ... a diamond. South took the A-K, pitching his last heart, and then let the 10 of trumps ride. Down one.

“I had an eight-card trump holding,” South shrugged. “To finesse for the queen was the percentage play.”

South was more knowledgeable than wise. He was right about percentages but failed to consider East’s defense. When West led the deuce of hearts, East knew that South had three hearts. If East had Q-x-x in trumps, he could have beaten the contract by leading a third heart, forcing dummy to ruff and assuring a trump trick.

East gave declarer a chance to finesse in trumps, hence he shouldn’t. He must cash the A-K. Question: You hold: ♠ A K1043 ♥ Q5 ♦ AK964 ♣ 10. Your partner opens one heart, you respond one spade and he rebids two hearts. What do you say?

Answer: Your partner promises a six-card or longer heart suit. He would never be obliged to rebid a fivecard suit in this sequence. He could instead bid 1NT, raise to two spades or bid two of a minor. Your simplest course is to bid 4NT, Blackwood, planning to bid six hearts unless he has no aces. South dealer Both sides vulnerable