Bridge: May 27, 2024

“You’re such a hopeless procrastinator,” Rose scolded Cy the Cynic in the club lounge. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

“I admit I have a problem,” Cy said agreeably, “and I’m going to rehab for it.”

“There’s a treatment facility for people with procrastination?” Rose asked, incredulous. “When do you go in?”

“Whenever they get around to opening it,” said the Cynic.

Cy was declarer at today’s four spades, and West took three high clubs (East discarded a diamond and a heart) and shifted to a trump. Cy drew trumps and knew he had to avoid a heart loser to make his game. But instead of attacking the hearts next, Cy procrastinated: He took the A-K of diamonds and ruffed dummy’s last diamond.

COMPLETE COUNT

Cy then had a complete count: West had held six clubs, three trumps, at least three diamonds … so at most one heart.

Cy led a heart, and when West played the ten, Cy took dummy’s king and confidently let the jack ride. Making four. Well procrastinated, Cy.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A K Q 9 3 H A 4 3 D A 6 C 9 6 4. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one spade and he bids two clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner’s hand is not well-defined; he could have 12 points or 18. Depending on his strength and pattern, you may belong at 3NT or at a grand slam. You need more information. Bid two hearts, the “fourth suit,” not promising great hearts but asking your partner to make another descriptive bid.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S J 10 2

H K J 9 5

D K 7 3

C 7 3 2

WEST

S 8 6 4

H 10

D Q 10 2

C A K Q 10 8 5

EAST

S 7 5

H Q 8 7 6 2

D J 9 8 5 4

C J

SOUTH

S A K Q 9 3

H A 4 3

D A 6

C 9 6 4

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

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