Bridge: Sept. 13, 2023

“Did you ever join the Society of Procrastinators?” I asked Cy the Cynic in the club lounge.

“Heard from them last week,” Cy said. “They wished me a Happy 2022.”

Cy is skilled in the art of keeping up with yesterday. When he played at today’s 3NT, West led a low spade: jack, king. Cy knew he could get two spade tricks by taking his ace immediately, but he had his reputation as a procrastinator to protect; he let the king win and ducked the spade return.

The Cynic won the third spade, forced out East’s ace of diamonds, won the diamond exit and lost a club to East’s ace. Later Cy finessed in hearts for nine tricks.

EIGHT TRICKS

Cy fails if he wins the first spade. If he leads a diamond next, East wins and returns a spade, and West ducks. Cy will have only eight tricks, and when East takes the ace of clubs, he leads his last spade, and West takes three spades.

Cy’s play was indicated: West probably had five spades, and East’s opening bid marked him with the minor-suit aces.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S K 5 3 H K 9 7 6 2 D A 7 C A 6 3. You open one heart. Your partner bids one spade. What do you say?

ANSWER: To bid 1NT to show a minimum balanced hand would not

be a mistake. A rebid of two hearts would be; it would promise six or more hearts. Raise to two spades. In my experience, auctions are easier when a trump suit is suggested promptly. True, partner’s spades may not be robust, but then no better contract may be available.

East dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S J 10

H J 10 8 5

D Q 10 9 3

C Q J 10

WEST

S Q 7 6 4 2

H 4

D 6 5 2

C 7 5 4 2

EAST

S K 5 3

H K 9 7 6 2

D A 7

C A 6 3

SOUTH

S A 9 8

H A Q 3

D K J 8 4

C K 9 8

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

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