Bridge: March 4, 2022

Today’s deal (reported by Barry Rigal) arose at the ACBL Fall Championships in Austin, the first face-to-face North American Championships since 2019. Masks and vaccination were required.

The event was a Board-a-Match Teams. The contract was “normal”: South would surely play at four spades at both tables. West’s king-of-clubs lead also looked normal, so the result would depend on how many tricks South won. How should he play?

One possibility is to take the ace of clubs and lead a heart to finesse with the jack, making two overtricks if East has Q-x. But that play runs the risk of a defensive heart ruff.

COMMUNICATION

Declarer could attack the diamonds, cashing the king and playing low from dummy next to keep communication. But that line would produce 11 tricks at best and might do worse (and would, as the cards lie).

Perhaps it’s best to draw trumps and lead the king of hearts. You can set up a heart trick in dummy for a diamond discard and win 11 tricks for sure.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S 9 3 H 10 9 3 2 D A 8 5 4 2 C A 4.

Your partner opens one spade, you respond 1NT and he bids two hearts. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner’s non-jump change of suit covers a wide range of strength and shapes. He may have 12 high-card points or 18. Since you have two aces, give yourself a chance to reach game. Raise to three hearts. If partner passes and fails at three hearts, that will be unlucky.

South dealer

Both sides vulnerable

NORTH

S 9 3

H 10 9 3 2

D A 8 5 4 2

C A 4

WEST

S 6 4

H Q 7 6 4

D J

C K Q 10 8 7 6

EAST

S J 5 2

H A 5

D Q 10 6 3

C J 5 3 2

SOUTH

S A K Q 10 8 7

H K J 8

D K 9 7

C 9

South West North East
1 S Pass 1 NT Pass
3 S Pass 4 S All Pass

Opening lead — C K

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