Bridge: Jan. 24, 2023

Tuesday, January 24. It was cool in Los Angeles. We were working the daywatch out of Bunco. My partner’s Bill Gannon. He’s a good player. My name’s Friday.

We got a call about a scam at a Ventura club. We checked it out. The suspect was still playing. One of his opponents spoke with us.

“It was terrible, officer.”

“Just the facts, ma’am.”

“That man sitting South conned us out of a game. I led the king of spades against four hearts and shifted to a trump, won by dummy’s king. Declarer next led the queen of spades … and threw a diamond!”

DISCARD

“When I took the ace, I naturally led a diamond. South won with the ace and pitched clubs on the jack of diamonds and jack of spades. He’s a grifter. Nab him!”

We arrested South on a charge of deceptive play. At trial, the judge said he wished he played as well.

(In an expert partnership, East would follow with his lowest spade on the queen, suggesting a shift to the low-ranking suit, so South’s ruse wouldn’t work.)

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A K 10 5 H 7 3 D 8 5 4 2 C 9 5 4. The dealer, at your left, opens two diamonds (a weak two-bid). Your partner doubles, you bid two spades and partner raises to three spades. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your response (“advance” in modern terminology) promised no strength, but partner was willing to undertake a nine-trick contract nevertheless. Since you actually have seven good points, to bid four spades is clear.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S Q J 4 2

H K

D K J 6

C Q J 10 6 2

WEST

S A K 10 5

H 7 3

D 8 5 4 2

C 9 5 4

EAST

S 8 7 6 3

H Q J 5

D 10 9 7

C A K 7

SOUTH

S 9

H A 10 9 8 6 4 2

D A Q 3

C 8 3

South West North East
1 H Pass 2 C Pass
2 H Pass 2 S Pass
3 H Pass 3 NT Pass
4 H All Pass
Opening lead — S K

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