Bridge: Oct. 17, 2020

My “Simple Saturday” columns treat basic technique and logical thinking.

In a computer-era cartoon, Ali Baba has tried “open sesame,” “OPEN SESAME” and “Open $e$ame,” but a voice within the thieves’ den keeps telling him his password is incorrect.

Gaining entry to dummy can be a problem for declarer. At today’s 3NT, East wins the first heart with the king and returns a heart, and South wins and counts eight top tricks. He has chances for one more. His fourth club will be a winner if clubs break 3-3, but that is not likely.

DUMMY ENTRY

South should try for a third diamond trick. He can handle a 4-1 break in that suit but must be careful to preserve a dummy entry.

At Trick Three, dummy leads a low diamond. East wins and leads another heart, and South wins and ducks a diamond. Then West can cash the 13th heart, but South wins the next trick and leads his last diamond to take the A-K and the fifth diamond. If he fails to preserve a link with dummy, he falls short of his goal.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S J 7 H A J 6 D A K 5 3 2 C 6 4 3. You open one diamond, and your partner responds one spade. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: Don’t repeat the diamonds. To rebid a five-card suit is permissible but not desirable, especially here. Bid 1NT to show a balanced, minimum opening bid. If partner had responded one heart, your best second bid would be a raise to two hearts even though you would prefer to have four-card support.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S J 7

H A J 6

D A K 5 3 2

C 6 4 3

WEST

S 8 5 2

H 10 7 4 3

D Q J 9 8

C J 8

EAST

S Q 10 9 6 3

H K 9 2

D 10

C Q 10 9 7

SOUTH

S A K 4

H Q 8 5

D 7 6 4

C A K 5 2

North East South West
1 D Pass 3 NT All Pass

Opening lead — H 3

(C)2020 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.