Bridge: July 11, 2022
Once I was hiking when I came to large, fenced-in pasture with a bull that appeared to weigh three tons. The owner had posted a sign: “Fine with me for you to cross this field for free. But the bull charges.”
Too many declarers charge ahead, playing in haste to Trick One. In today’s deal, West led the jack of clubs against four spades: king, ace. East then led the ten of diamonds. South pondered before putting in his jack, but his play at that point was moot. West took the Q-A and led another club. South pitched a heart on dummy’s queen but still had a heart loser. Down one.
HASTY PLAY
Hasty play doomed South. He must play dummy’s eight on the first club. If West leads another club (he has no better defense), South ruffs East’s ace, draws trumps and discards a diamond on dummy’s high club.
If East overtook the first club and led a diamond, South would lose two diamonds but could get two heart discards on the K-Q of clubs.
Incidentally, I detoured around the bull.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S 3 H Q 10 8 6 D 10 9 8 3 C A 7 6 4. Your partner opens one spade, you responds 1NT and he bids two hearts. What do you say?
ANSWER: You might have a game; partner could have as many as 18 high-card points, or he could have a bit of extra strength and a five-card card heart suit. Still, if his hand is minimum, eight tricks at hearts may be the limit. Your percentage action is to pass. If you miss game, switch to a bidding system other than “Standard.”
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S Q 10 9 6 4
H A 9 2
D 6 2
C K Q 8
WEST
S 8
H J 4
D A Q 7 5 4
C J 10 9 3 2
EAST
S 3
H Q 10 8 6
D 10 9 8 3
C A 7 6 4
SOUTH
S A K J 7 5 2
H K 7 5 3
D K J
C 5
South West North East
1S Pass 3S Pass
4S All Pass
Opening lead — C J
©2022 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.