Bridge: April 30, 2020

As the game at the Mad Hatter’s went on, the Red Queens, who were kibitzing, kept arguing over who was greater.

“My cousin the Queen of Hearts thinks losing a trick is a disgrace,” the Queen of Diamonds told Alice.

“No ace or king dares capture me,” roared the Queen of Hearts.

“Losing can be better,” the Queen of Diamonds sniffed.

The Hatter dealt and opened three diamonds, and after two passes, Alice tried 6NT! The Hatter led a club.

SQUEEZE

Alice counted 11 tricks. If either major broke 3-3, she would be safe, but good breaks were unlikely after West’s preempt. A squeeze would work — East might guard both majors — but then Alice needed to lose a trick, “rectifying the count” for it to operate.

Alice cashed her club tricks, then the ace of hearts and the ace of spades. When West followed, Alice smiled at the Queen of Diamonds and led … the queen of diamonds. West won and returned a diamond, but East had to give up a major-suit card, conceding the slam.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S 9 6 H 10 3 D K J 10 9 8 6 4 C 7 4. In today’s deal (with both sides vulnerable), West opened three diamonds with this hand. Do you agree with that action?

ANSWER: Many players would routinely open three diamonds, but 7-2-2-2 pattern is the most unfavorable for a preempt because there are several potential losers. One possible result is that your partner might take a costly sacrifice. I would not criticize a pass, especially when vulnerable.

West dealer

Both sides vulnerable

NORTH

S K 7 5 2

H 8 6 4

D 7 3 2

C 10 8 5

WEST

S 9 6

H 10 3

D K J 10 9 8 6 4

C 7 4

EAST

S J 10 8 3

H J 9 7 5

D 5

C 9 6 3 2

SOUTH

S A Q 4

H A K Q 2

D A Q

C A K Q J

West North East South

3 D Pass Pass 6 NT(!)

All Pass

Opening lead — C 7

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