Bridge: July 13, 2023
“Whoever said life is a box of chocolates was wrong, at least in my case,” Unlucky Louie told me. “It’s at best like a tin of mixed nuts.”
Louie was today’s South in a penny game and roared indelicately into 3NT. (A second bid of two spades might have been better.) West led the queen of hearts.
Louie won with the ace and led the jack of clubs, and East took the ace and fired back a heart. Louie won and took the queen of clubs. When West discarded a spade, Louie cashed the king of clubs and tried a diamond to his jack. West produced the king and took three hearts for down one.
“Nuts,” Louie growled.
MISPLAY
After Louie wins the first trick, he should lead the ace and a low diamond. If West wins (or if diamonds broke 3-2 or if East held K-10-x-x), Louie could win four diamonds, three spades and two hearts.
If West ducks the second diamond, dummy’s queen wins. Then Louie forces out the ace of clubs, winning two clubs, two diamonds, two hearts and three spades.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S A K Q 6 H A 7 D A J 9 6 5 C J 8. The dealer, at your right, opens one heart. You double, and your partner responds (“advances”) two clubs. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your hand is powerful, but your partner was obliged to respond to your double no matter how weak his was. He may have no points and a flimsy club suit. Bid two diamonds, showing significant extra strength. If you happen to have a game, your partner will bid again.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S 7 3
H K 8
D Q 8 2
C K Q 6 5 4 2
WEST
S J 5 2
H Q J 10 9 4
D K 10 7 3
C 9
EAST
S 10 9 8 4
H 6 5 3 2
D 4
C A 10 7 3
SOUTH
S A K Q 6
H A 7
D A J 9 6 5
C J 8
South West North East
1 D Pass 2 C Pass
3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — H Q
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