Daily Bridge Club Don’t give up!

Ben Hogan once double-bogeyed the first hole in a tournament, then reeled off eight birdies and shot 66. Asked how he had managed to overcome his bad start, Hogan replied, “That’s why they make 18 holes.”

A deal comprises 13 tricks; a good defender applies himself to every one. Today’s West led a heart against four spades, reasonably enough, and grimaced when South put up dummy’s jack, winning. South then led a trump to his king, and West took the ace and led the queen of hearts.

South won, cashed one more trump, then ruffed his last low heart in dummy. He returned a club to his ace, drew West’s last trump and had 10 tricks.

FIRST TRUMP

West gave up too easily. If he ducks the first trump, South fails. If South leads a second trump, West wins and leads a third trump, and South has a heart loser. If South tries to ruff a heart in dummy before leading a second trump, East scores his nine of trumps on an overruff.

Don’t give up! Keep looking for a way to beat the contract.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: { A62 x Q 10 7 4 3 z K J 10 y Q 3. Your partner opens one club, you respond one heart and he bids one spade. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: This is a close judgment call. If partner’s opening bids are known to be sound, bid 3NT. You have 12 high-card points plus a five-card suit and two tens. If his style is to open light, shapely hands, you might settle for a jump to 2NT. He should treat that bid as invitational.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

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