Bridge: July 7, 2022

Cy the Cynic says that two can live as cheaply as one, but these days, both of them must work to do it. It takes two players to conduct effective defense; help your partner avoid errors.

Today’s East-West misjudged the bidding — they could have made five spades — but could have salvaged something by beating five diamonds doubled. West led the deuce of hearts, which East recognized as a singleton. He took the ace and returned the ten.

West ruffed, but then he led a spade, the suit East had bid. South won, drew trumps and ran the hearts to pitch his clubs.

Making five.

SINGLETON

East could have saved his partner by taking the ace of clubs at Trick Two. West will signal low, confirming that his heart lead was a singleton, and then East returns a heart. West ruffs and cashes his king of clubs for down two.

East should have been especially wary since his ten of hearts looked like a suit-preference signal for spades — the high-ranking suit — and was sure to mislead West.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S K J 10 8 6 4 H A 10 D 4 C A 7 4 2. Your partner opens one diamond, you bid one spade and he rebids two diamonds. What do you say?

ANSWER: Most partnerships would treat a jump to three spades as invitational to game, not forcing. (A case exists for a forcing treatment, especially at IMPs or rubber bridge where accurate game and slam bidding is vital.) Your hand is promising enough to commit to game. Bid three clubs or four spades.

East dealer

Both sides vulnerable

NORTH

S 9 3

H K J 8 5 4 3

D A 5 3

C Q 5

WEST

S Q 7 5 2

H 2

D 10 8 6

C K 10 8 6 3

EAST

S K J 10 8 6 4

H A 10

D 4

C A 7 4 2

SOUTH

S A

H Q 9 7 6

D K Q J 9 7 2

C J 9

East South West North
1 S 2 D 4 S 5 D
Dbl All Pass
Opening lead — H 2

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