Bridge: Oct. 8, 2019

Cy the Cynic says that if you can smile when something goes wrong, you’ve probably thought of someone you can blame it on.

Today’s North-South backed into four spades after North bid 2NT at his second turn but South investigated spades. West led the four of hearts, and East took his ace and returned the jack: queen, king, five. West next led the nine, and when dummy’s ten covered, East ruffed … with the six of trumps. He must have thought South had a third heart.

South overruffed and cashed dummy’s A-K of trumps. He took the queen of clubs, got to his hand with the ten of trumps and ran the clubs, Making five.

THIRD HEART

“Ruff the third heart with your jack,” West growled at his partner.

East pondered that, then smiled broadly.

“The contract is still made,” he said. “Declarer just discards his diamond loser and has the rest. To beat it, you must cash your ace of diamonds, then lead the third heart.”

I think there was plenty of blame to go around in this deal.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A K Q 4 H 10 7 5 3 D K 10 5 3 C Q. Your partner opens one heart. The next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: An expert panel would have many opinions. Some would issue a forcing raise, such as an artificial 2NT response, but that call should suggest balanced pattern. Others would try a “splinter” response of four clubs. I would like better heart support for that action. I would respond one spade and support the hearts strongly later.

North dealer

Neither side vulnerable

NORTH

S A K Q 4

H 10 7 5 3

D K 10 5 3

C Q

WEST

S 5 3

H K 9 8 4 2

D A J 4

C 8 7 6

EAST

S J 8 6

H A J

D 9 8 7 6 2

C 10 4 3

SOUTH

S 10 9 7 2

H Q 6

D Q

C A K J 9 5 2

North East South West

1 D Pass 2 C Pass

2 NT Pass 3 S Pass

4 S All Pass

Opening lead — H 4

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