DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:
Internet bridge has flourished with the advent of sites such as Bridge Base Online. You can play with people worldwide and watch major tournaments with expert commentary. The ACBL and BBO have teamed up to offer sanctioned duplicate play, letting players compete from home.
When I watched today’s deal on BBO, all four players were experts. South’s opening bid of one club was strong and artificial. North’s one diamond was negative; his three diamonds was a “transfer.” South might have passed 3NT.
Against four hearts, West led the 10 of clubs: four, king, ace. South led a diamond to dummy’s king and lost a trump finesse. Later he drew trumps and lost a spade finesse. When diamonds split badly, he lost two tricks there. Down one.
South had winning lines, none clearly indicated. It seems to me he might have taken the A-K of diamonds early and lost a diamond, planning to ruff the fourth diamond — with his ace of trumps if necessary.
DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ Q93 ♥ QJ1053
◆ K852 ♣ 4. Your partner opens one club, you respond one heart and he bids one spade. What do you say?
ANSWER: You have options. A rebid of two hearts might work but would show a six-card suit or a stronger five-carder. A raise to two spades might get you to a decent contract but would suggest four-card support. My uneasy choice would be a bid of 1NT, staying low.