Bridge: Aug. 28, 2019

Unlucky Louie says if his ship ever comes in, the dockworkers will be on strike or the dock will have rotted. Louie blames his bad results on bad luck despite all the evidence to the contrary.

Louie was declarer at today’s 6NT, and West led a diamond. Louie played low from dummy, accepting the free finesse, and captured East’s jack. Louie next led a spade to dummy’s king — and the dock collapsed when East discarded.

Louie’s slam was doomed. He lacked the entries to his hand to lead spades twice more through West. Louie had to lose a second spade for down one.

MISSING SPADES

When a contract looks easy, as here, it must be treated with care. Louie’s only worry is finding West with all four missing spades, hence Louie must win the first diamond in dummy and lead the king of spades.

If West takes the ace (to play low won’t help him) and exits with a club, Louie can reach his hand twice — with the queen of diamonds and ace of hearts — for spade finesses, making the slam.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A 10 9 4 H 7 4 3 D 9 7 5 4 C 10 6. The dealer, at your left, opens one heart. Your partner doubles, and the next player redoubles. What do you say?

ANSWER: You must suggest a port in the storm. Since partner surely has support for the other major, bid one spade. This bid does not show strength, only that you think spades will be your best trump suit. Moreover, you would like partner to lead a spade if the opponents buy the contract.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S K Q J 8 6 3

H K J

D A K 3

C A K

WEST

S A 10 9 4

H 7 4 3

D 9 7 5 4

C 10 6

EAST

S None

H Q 10 8 6 2

D J 8

C Q 8 7 5 3 2

SOUTH

S 7 5 2

H A 9 5

D Q 10 6 2

C J 9 4

North East South West

2 C Pass 2 D Pass

2 S Pass 3 NT Pass

6 NT All Pass

Opening lead — D 4

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