Bridge: March 2, 2024
“Simple Saturday” columns focus on basic technique and logical thinking.
A defender labors under the burden of not seeing partner’s hand. To help themselves, defenders signal by means of the cards they play (not by how fast they play them or with emphasis or lack of emphasis).
One member of my club is known as Signaling Sam because he signals with excess zeal. In today’s deal, West led the jack of hearts against 3NT, and Sam, East, signaled discouragement with the deuce. South won and led the king and ten of diamonds, winning as Sam showed “count” by playing the eight and then the three.
SPADE SHIFT
On the next diamond, West took the ace, and Sam banged down his ten of spades. West duly shifted to a spade, but after Sam took the queen, ace, and nine, South’s eight was high. Making three.
Sam signaled with the setting trick. On the third diamond, he needed to discard the deuce of clubs, discouraging. West would surely get the message and lead a spade for down two.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S K J H K 5 4 D Q J 5 4 2 C Q 6 4. Your partner opens one spade, you respond two diamonds, he bids two hearts and you try 2NT. Partner then bids three hearts. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your 2NT showed about 11 points and suggested game. Partner’s three hearts says he wants neither notrump nor game. He has a minimum two-suiter and has signed off. Pass. Your minor-suit honors are probably worthless. In a game-forcing 2/1 style, you would have responded 1NT.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S K J
H K 5 4
D Q J 5 4 2
C Q 6 4
WEST
S 6 5
H J 10 9 7
D A 7 6
C J 10 8 3
EAST
S A Q 10 9 2
H 6 3 2
D 8 3
C 9 7 2
SOUTH
S 8 7 4 3
H A Q 8
D K 10 9
C A K 5
South West North East
1 NT Pass 3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — H J
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