Bridge: April 6, 2021

“I hear things at the observatory are looking up.” — graffiti

Today’s South picked up a 22-point hand and got to 3NT. When West led the deuce of clubs, South thought things were definitely looking up. East took the ace — declarer followed with the four — and led a low spade.

South took the ace and cashed the king of clubs, and matters began to go downhill when East threw a heart. South next took the ace of diamonds, overtook his queen with the king and cashed the jack, hoping for a 3-3 break. When East threw another heart, South led the ten of hearts from dummy. East grabbed his ace and led another spade, and with careful defense, South was doomed: He won eight tricks.

FIRST CLUB

I look down on South’s play. When East plays the ace on the first club, South can follow with the queen.

South wins the spade shift, takes the king of clubs and A-Q of diamonds, and leads a low club. He reaches dummy with the ten of clubs to run the diamonds, winning five diamonds, two clubs and two spades.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S J 10 5 4 2 H A Q 7 3 2 D 10 9 C A. Your partner opens one club, you bid one spade, he rebids two clubs and you try two hearts. Partner then rebids three clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: This problem is uneasy. You might make four hearts — partner might have three-card support — but game chances are uncertain at best. Pass. Incidentally, although a new-suit bid by responder is regarded as forcing, some pairs would treat your two hearts as not forcing.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S 9 3

H 10 4

D K J 6 4 2

C 10 8 5 3

WEST

S Q 8 6

H 9 8

D 8 7 5 3

C J 9 6 2

EAST

S J 10 5 4 2

H A Q 7 3 2

D 10 9

C A

SOUTH

S A K 7

H K J 6 5

D A Q

C K Q 7 4

South West North East
2 C Pass 2 D Pass
2 NT Pass 3 NT All Pass

Opening lead — C 2

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