Daily Bridge Club

Louie’s new car

Unlucky Louie, who habitually drives as if he’s just robbed a bank, bought a new car that has GPS. Louie gave me a ride to the club, and he zoomed through yellow lights and performed his usual death-defying lane changes.

When we were almost to the club, the voice of the GPS said, “In 300 feet, please stop and let me out.”

Louie plays the dummy like he drives: in haste. When he was declarer at today’s four hearts, West led a diamond, and East won and shifted to a trump. Louie won and hurriedly conceded a diamond, and East led a second trump. Then Louie had to lose a third diamond plus a spade, and down he went.

NO CHANCE

Louie gave himself almost no chance; he played without thinking, as usual. After Louie wins the first trump, he must play a low spade from both hands. If East wins and leads a second trump, Louie can run his trumps, take the A-K of spades and win his 10th trick with the 13th spade.

To find a 3-3 break is Louie’s legitimate chance for the contract.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ♠K 6 5 2 ♥ A 10 ♦ Q4 ♣ 8 7 5 4 2. Your partner opens one heart, you respond one spade, he bids two diamonds and you return to two hearts. Partner next bids two spades. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your two-heart preference showed at most nine points, but partner bid again anyway to try for game. You not only have maximum values, all of your honors fit well with his hand. Choose an aggressive third bid such as a jump to four hearts. East dealer N-S vulnerable