Bridge: Aug. 17, 2023

“I know a little learning is a dangerous thing,” a fan writes. “Nothing about it is more dangerous than thinking your wife doesn’t have it.”

My fan was today’s East. When North-South bid to four hearts, his 4NT asked West to choose a minor suit.

“My wife led a club against five hearts,” East writes, “and declarer took the ace and led the king of trumps. I won and shifted to a spade, and South won, led a diamond to the ace and ruffed a diamond. He led a trump to dummy, discarded a spade on the king of diamonds — my partner pitched a club — and ruffed a diamond.”

LAST DIAMOND

“South next ruffed a club in dummy and led the last diamond. When I followed, he threw a spade. I had to lead a minor, and he threw his last spade and ruffed in dummy. Making five. My wife said I blew the defense. She’s no expert, but maybe she was right.”

West’s analysis was correct. East prevails by leading a club at Trick Three. He removes an entry to dummy, and South can’t bring off his end play.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A 6 5 3 H K 10 8 6 4 2 D 3 C A 4. Your partner opens one club, you bid one heart and he rebids two clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: Since partner’s club bids improve your hand, to force to game is reasonable. Bid two spades. If partner next bids 2NT, bid three hearts, forcing. He should raise with a heart holding such as J-x. (A jump to three hearts at your second turn would be invitational.) If instead he bids 3NT, pass and hope for the best.

South dealer

Both sides vulnerable

NORTH

S 10 7 2

H Q 9 7 3

D A K 6 4 2

C 10

WEST

S K Q J 9 4

H J 5

D J 7

C K J 6 2

EAST

S 8

H A

D Q 10 9 8 5

C Q 9 8 7 5 3

SOUTH

S A 6 5 3

H K 10 8 6 4 2

D 3

C A 4

South West North East
1 H 1 S 3 H Pass
4 H Pass Pass 4 NT
Pass 5 C 5 H All Pass
Opening lead — C 2

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