Bridge: Sept. 23, 2023

“Simple Saturday” columns focus on basic technique and logical thinking.

You’re declarer at today’s notrump game. When you opened 1NT, North used Stayman to look for a 4-4 major-suit fit although he had 4-3-3-3 pattern and ample high-card strength for game. Some players would have raised directly to 3NT.

West leads a low diamond: three, ten, jack. You know West has the A-Q, and if East gets in to return a diamond, your cook will be goosed. You need eight more tricks without letting East get in.

DANGER HAND

“Avoidance” is the technique of keeping a “dangerous” defender from gaining the lead. If you let the queen of clubs ride next, you will finesse into the danger hand and will risk defeat.

Lead a heart to dummy and return a spade to your nine. If that finesse wins, you have three spades, four hearts, a diamond and a club. If the finesse loses to West, you don’t mind. He can’t lead another diamond effectively, and when you get back in, you will still have nine tricks.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A 9 H A K 7 4 D K J 8 C Q 10 9 8. You open 1NT, and your partner responds two hearts, a “transfer,” You duly bid two spades, and he next bids three clubs. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: As most pairs agree, responder’s bid of a new suit after a transfer is forcing. (Personally, I think highly of an invitational treatment.) You can’t bid three spades now with only A-9. Moreover, you may have a slam at clubs. Bid four clubs or three hearts.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S K J 10 4

H Q J 10

D 7 6 3

C A J 7

WEST

S 8 5 2

H 8 6

D A Q 9 5 2

C 5 4 2

EAST

S Q 7 6 3

H 9 5 3 2

D 10 4

C K 6 3

SOUTH

S A 9

H A K 7 4

D K J 8

C Q 10 9 8

South West North East
1 NT Pass 2 C Pass
2 H Pass 3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — D 5

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