Bridge: Jan. 10, 2023

Maybe an alarm clock is a device most useful to people who don’t have small children. But many bridge players could use one as declarer — set to go off right after the opening lead.

In today’s deal, North could have had no less for his double, or South for his invitational jump to two spades. West led the king of hearts, and declarer took dummy’s ace and led a diamond: eight, jack, queen.

THIRD TRUMP

East had signaled with the jack on the first heart, so West next led the six. East won with the nine and led a trump, and West took the queen and ace and led a third trump. Then South couldn’t ruff any diamonds in dummy, and he lost two more diamonds for down one.

South’s play was alarming; he needed to be jolted awake at Trick One. He must let West’s king of hearts win. Then South can handle the diamonds so that East never gets in for a fatal trump shift. Nor can West gain by leading trumps since he will lose a trump trick. In any case, South wins at least eight tricks.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S K 9 7 6 4 H 7 5 D A J 4 2 C 8 3. The dealer, at your left, opens three hearts. Your partner doubles, and the next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your partner’s hand is worth at least 17 points; he suggests support for the unbid suits, especially spades. (He may have a stronger hand with a suit he intends to bid.) Jump to four spades. To bid three spades when you have a five-card suit and a decent hand would be more than wimpy.

West dealer

Neither side vulnerable

NORTH

S J 10 8

H A 8 3 2

D 6 3

C A K 9 5

WEST

S A Q 3

H K Q 6

D Q 10 7 5

C J 6 2

EAST

S 5 2

H J 10 9 4

D K 9 8

C Q 10 7 4

SOUTH

S K 9 7 6 4

H 7 5

D A J 4 2

C 8 3

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

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