Bridge: April 8, 2022

Cy the Cynic says that nothing is certain except death, taxes and “We’ll be right back after these messages.” Cy further asserts that if he has choice of plays as declarer, he is certain to pick the wrong one.

As today’s South, Cy landed at six hearts when, as it happened, North might have done better to try 6NT. When West led a diamond, Cy took dummy’s ace, led a trump to his ace and returned a trump.

When West took the king, the Cynic brightened up. But East showed out, and when West led a second diamond, Cy was doomed. If he ruffed in dummy, West’s jack of trumps would score; when Cy discarded from dummy instead, East’s king won the setting trick.

LOST SHIRT

“I could go to Las Vegas,” Cy grumbled, “and lose my shirt in a coin laundry.”

Cy erred. He must lead a spade to his hand at Trick Two and return a low trump toward dummy. Cy’s actual play would gain if East had the singleton king of trumps but loses in three cases: when he has a singleton jack, ten or eight.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A K Q 4 H Q 9 6 D A C K Q 7 6 5. The dealer, at your right, opens one diamond. You double, and your partner bids one heart. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: Since partner may have a miserable hand with only four hearts, you must tread carefully. But he could hold 7 6 5, K 10 8 7 2, 8 7 6, A 2 where four hearts is all but cold. To cue-bid two diamonds might only delay your problem. Bid two clubs, promising a strong hand.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S A K Q 4

H Q 9 6

D A

C K Q 7 6 5

WEST

S 9 5 3

H K J 8

D 8 7 6 4 2

C 8 2

EAST

S 10 7 6 2

H 10

D K 9 5 3

C 10 9 4 3

SOUTH

S J 8

H A 7 5 4 3 2

D Q J 10

C A J

South West North East
1 H Pass 2 C Pass
2 H Pass 4 NT Pass
5 H Pass 6 H All Pass

Opening lead — D 8

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