Bridge: June 19, 2024

In today’s deal (reported by Barry Rigal) from a team event at the Spring NABC, both Souths played at four hearts. Only one declarer was careful.

Both Wests led the queen of clubs. One South took the ace, cashed the ace of trumps, led a spade to dummy and returned a trump. He won a finesse with the jack, but West discarded. When South next led the king of diamonds, West took the ace and led a low club, and East won and led a third trump, removing dummy’s last trump. South failed to discern the diamond position and lost a second diamond plus a trump. Down one.

DUCKS

Jeff Aker as South ducked the queen of clubs and won the club continuation. Like the other declarer, he took the ace of trumps, a high spade and the jack of trumps, and next led the king of diamonds.

West won but couldn’t give East the lead. When West led another spade, declarer won and led the jack and a third diamond. East couldn’t gain by ruffing a loser, so Aker took the queen and ruffed his last diamond in dummy. He lost a trump, a diamond and a club.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S Q 10 9 7 6 H 7 D A 10 6 5 C Q J 9. Your partner opens one heart, you respond one spade and he bids two clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: Borrow a call from chess: “Resign.” Opener’s non-jump change of suit has a wide range, a weakness of “Standard” bidding. If you bid 2NT, partner may raise with 15 points, and nine tricks may be out of reach. If you pass, he may have more strength, and you will miss a game. Because the hand has plenty of intermediate spot cards, try 2NT.

South dealer

Neither side vulnerable

NORTH

S A K 2

H 9 4 3

D J 9 2

C 7 6 4 3

WEST

S Q 10 9 7 6

H 7

D A 10 6 5

C Q J 9

EAST

S J 5 3

H Q 10 8 6

D 8 3

C K 10 8 2

SOUTH

S 8 4

H A K J 5 2

D K Q 7 4

C A 5

South West North East
1 H 1 S 2 H Pass
4 H All Pass
Opening lead — C Q

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