Play by the numbers

Cy the Cynic defines statistics as some numbers looking for an argument. As declarer, Cy plays by instinct. He pays little regard to “percentage” plays.

When I watched today’s deal, Cy bid boldly to four hearts as South. He ruffed West’s king of diamonds and led a trump to dummy’s queen. East took the ace and led another diamond. Cy ruffed again, led a spade to dummy and returned a trump, and when East followed with the nine, Cy ... put up his king.

LOSING CLUB

When West discarded, Cy took three spades, pitching clubs from dummy, and led a club. East won and cashed his jack of trumps, and Cy was left with a club loser. Down one.

“Don’t tell me the percentage play was to finesse with the ten on the second trump,” the Cynic growled.

Percentages had nothing to do with it. By finessing, Cy assures the contract. When West shows out, Cy is sure of five trumps, four spades and one club. But if West took the jack, Cy could later ruff his third club in dummy for his 10th trick.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ♠K ♥ Q 7 2 ♦ J 7 4 2 ♣ K Q 9 6 3. Your partner opens one spade, you respond two clubs, he bids two hearts and you try 2NT. Partner then rebids three hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your partner suggests a hand with five cards in each major and minimum values: He proposes to sign off below game. If you had a hand such as J, Q 7 2, A 7 4 2, A 9 6 3 2, you could raise to four hearts, but with your actual hand, your minor-suit honors may be useless. Pass. South dealer N-S vulnerable