Bridge: June 28, 2023

Today’s West was the notorious Grapefruit, my club member with more crust than a pie factory. He berates his partners constantly.

Against South’s solo sacrifice at four spades, Grapefruit led the king of hearts. South ruffed and took the ace of diamonds. When East’s jack fell, South ruffed his three with dummy’s ten of trumps. East overruffed and led another heart. South ruffed, forced out East’s other high trump, ruffed the third heart and drew trumps.

CLAIM

Then two things happened: South claimed five trumps, four diamonds and the ace of clubs; and the phone in the club lounge rang.

“That’s your village,” Grapefruit told East, “calling to say their idiot is missing.”

“Be quiet,” East growled.

Grapefruit announced that if East’s IQ were lower, he would trip over it.

It’s seldom right to overruff with a trump winner you’ll get anyway. If East discards on the second diamond, saving his trumps, more heart leads force South to lose control. He goes down two.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A K 8 3 H A J 10 8 5 D J C K J 10.

Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart, he bids two clubs and you try two spades. Partner then bids 2NT. What do you say?

ANSWER: Though partner has not bid strongly, he may have a bit of extra strength. You have 17 high-card points, all of which look useful, plus a good five-card suit and good spots. Slam is possible. Raise to 4NT and let him decide.

South dealer

E-W vulnerable

NORTH

S 10 5

H 9 7 6 2

D 2

C A Q 9 5 3 2

WEST

S 4

H K Q 4 3

D 9 8 7 6 5 4

C 8 4

EAST

S A K 8 3

H A J 10 8 5

D J

C K J 10

SOUTH

S Q J 9 7 6 2

H None

D A K Q 10 3

C 7 6

South West North East
1 S Pass 1 NT Dbl
2 D 2 H Pass 4 H
4 S(!) Pass Pass Dbl
All Pass
Opening lead — H K

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