Bridge: Oct. 10, 2023
“I don’t know what possessed me to open four spades,” Cy the Cynic said to me after today’s deal. “Maybe the devil made me do it.”
In a penny game, West had led the king of hearts, and dummy showered down with two aces and the jack of trumps!
When West continued with the ace, Cy ruffed. He led a trump to dummy’s jack, unblocked the ace of diamonds, ruffed a heart and drew trumps with his A-K-Q — leaving him with none. When he led the queen of diamonds next, East won and led the queen of clubs. The Cynic ducked that and escaped for down one.
LOW TRUMP
If the devil made Cy open four spades, he also proffered temptation by giving dummy the jack of trumps. Cy would succeed easily if dummy had a low trump.
Cy should take the ace of diamonds at Trick Three. Then, to keep control, he overtakes the jack of trumps and takes his three high trumps. He loses a diamond to the king, ruffs the heart return and runs the diamonds. West gets only his high trump.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S 10 7 4 2 H A K 6 D 8 5 C K J 9 3. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one spade, he raises to two spades and you try 2NT. Partner then bids three diamonds. The opponents pass. What do you say?
ANSWER: Partner’s bidding suggests a minimum hand with five or more likely six diamonds and only three-card spade support. His bid signs off, and you should pass. If he holds AJ6,5,AJ9643,Q42, your chances at any game contract would be poor.
North dealer
Both sides vulnerable
NORTH
S J
H 8 7 4 3 2
D A
C A 8 7 5 4 2
WEST
S 10 7 4 2
H A K 6
D 8 5
C K J 9 3
EAST
S 9 8
H Q J 10 5
D K 7 6 4 2
C Q 6
SOUTH
S A K Q 6 5 3
H 9
D Q J 10 9 3
C 10
North East South West
Pass Pass 4 S(!) All Pass
Opening lead — H K
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