New-comic tryout: “Rhymes with Orange,”

Some people make things happen; some people watch things happen. Unlucky Louie wonders what happened. by Hilary Price

When Louie was declarer at today’s four hearts, West led the ten of diamonds, and Louie won with the queen and saw only three losers: the ace of spades and the two top trumps. He led a trump at the second trick, and East took the king and returned a diamond.

Louie won and led a second trump, and West grabbed his ace and led a spade. East won and led a third diamond, and West ruffed for the setting trick.

“I went down at that contract?” Louie saidwonderingly. “So it appears,” North grumbled. Louie wouldn’t have to wonder if he played more deliberately. Since the defenders are threatening to get a diamond ruff, Louie must lead a spade at Trick Two.

When East wins and leads a second diamond, Louie wins in his hand and discards dummy’s A-K of diamonds on his K-Q of spades. He ruffs his lowdiamond in dummy, starts the trumps and loses only two more tricks.

You hold: & A 10 8 4 h K 8653$ K 10 9 2. Your partner opens one heart, you bid one spade, he rebids two hearts and you try 2NT. Partner next bids three clubs. What do you say?

Partner has six hearts, four clubs and minimum values. If he had ex- tras, his second bidwould have been three hearts or two clubs. Your 2NT was bold, but since you have three good cards, you can make one more effort to reach game. Bid four clubs. The Denver Post is offering trial runs of new comics. Through Dec. 13, check out “Rhymes with Orange,” which offers a witty take on the universal truths about everyday subjects, like relationships, work, pets and holidays. Share your opinions at comicsfeedback@denverpost.com