Bridge: Aug. 28, 2023

“I don’t play like I used to,” one of my club’s seniors said to me. “I’m afraid I’m over the hill. And what’s worse, I can’t remember reaching the top.”

My friend was declarer at today’s 3NT. West led a spade, and East took the ace and returned the nine.

“I won,” declarer said, “and led the A-K and a third club. I set up two long clubs in dummy and had nine tricks. Unfortunately, I couldn’t take them. After West cashed his Q-J of spades, he led the jack of hearts. I lost two hearts at the end for down two.

“My A-K of diamonds might as well have been deuces. If I can’t play the dummy any better, I need to take up dominoes.”

BLIND SPOT

South had a blind spot that I suppose can beset players who are past their three score and 20. At Trick Three South should lead the nine of clubs.

West wins and cashes two spades, but South wins a heart shift and takes the A-K of clubs and A-K of diamonds. He reaches dummy with a high heart for the long clubs.

This week: entries.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S K 10 3 H 8 4 D A K 8 7 5 C A K 9. Neither side vulnerable. The dealer, at your left, opens three spades, and two passes follow. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your position is uncomfortable. To avoid having the opponents steal the deal, you must assume that your partner has some points. You can’t double with no heart support, and a bid of four diamonds would not aim toward your most likely game. Bid 3NT and hope for the best.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S 7 5 4 2

H A K 5 3

D None

C 8 7 5 3 2

WEST

S Q J 8 6

H J 10 6

D Q 9 3

C Q J 4

EAST

S A 9

H Q 9 7 2

D J 10 6 4 2

C 10 6

SOUTH

S K 10 3

H 8 4

D A K 8 7 5

C A K 9

South West North East
1 NT Pass 2 C Pass
2 D Pass 2 NT Pass
3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — S 6

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