Bridge: Oct. 24, 2023

“Millard is a sweet guy,” a club player told me, “but he’s got only one oar in the water. He said he had an earache, and I asked him whether it was inside or out. He went out the door, came back in and told me it was both.”

Millard Pringle tends to get lost in the maze of bridge “rules.” He was declarer at today’s four hearts, and West led the queen of clubs. Millard ruffed the second club and next let the queen of trumps ride. East casually played low.

SECOND TRUMP

“If Millard leads a second trump to dummy’s jack,” my friend said, “East wins and leads a third trump, and when he takes the king of spades, he cashes the ace of clubs. Millard also loses a diamond for down one.

“But Millard next led a trump to the ace. He ruffed the king of clubs and wound up losing a trump, a spade and a club.”

“Well defended, well played,” I said. “But I wonder why Millard didn’t finesse in trumps again.”

“He told me he knew East had the king — because West would have covered an honor.”

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S K 9 5 4 H K 5 4 D 8 4 3 C A 8 7. The dealer, at your left, opens one diamond. Your partner doubles, and the next player bids two diamonds. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner has opening values or more with help for the unbid suits. His hand seems to be short in diamonds, hence your hands may produce game with fewer than 26 high-card points. Jump to three spades to invite. You would bid two spades if your king of spades were a low spade.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S A 8 3

H A J 10 9

D J 7 2

C K 5 2

WEST

S 7 6

H 6 2

D Q 10 9

C Q J 10 9 6 3

EAST

S K 9 5 4

H K 5 4

D 8 4 3

C A 8 7

SOUTH

S Q J 10 2

H Q 8 7 3

D A K 6 5

C 4

North East South West
1 C Pass 1 H Pass
2 H Pass 4 H All Pass
Opening lead — C Q

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