Bridge: Feb. 24, 2024
“Simple Saturday” columns focus on basic technique and logical thinking.
Against a notrump contract, the defenders’ usual strategy is to establish a long suit. The declaring side will invariably have more of the high cards. But even if the defenders set up a suit, the player with the winners must retain an entry to cash them.
In today’s deal, West led a heart against 3NT, and East joyously and impulsively took the queen, king and ace. South won the next heart with the jack and still had only eight tricks. He guessed well to let the nine of diamonds ride next (instead of playing East for a singleton honor), and the contract came home.
STOPPER
On the bidding South surely has a heart stopper, so East must hope West has an entry. Moreover, East must keep communication with his partner.
On the first heart, East must follow with the ten. Then when declarer leads a diamond, West can play an honor, win a diamond trick and lead his last heart for East to run his suit.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S K 10 9 H 4 3 D A 10 8 4 3 C A Q 8. You open one diamond, and your partner bids one spade. What do you say?
ANSWER: To rebid a five-card suit is permissible but not desirable. A rebid of two diamonds here would suggest a six-card or longer suit. A bid of 1NT to show a balanced minimum would not be a mistake, but a raise to two spades is best. Partner may well have five spades, and suggesting a trump suit quickly often leads to an easier auction.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S K 10 9
H 4 3
D A 10 8 4 3
C A Q 8
WEST
S J 4 3 2
H 6 2
D K Q 5 2
C 7 4 3
EAST
S 8 6 5
H A K Q 10 5
D 7
C 10 9 6 2
SOUTH
S A Q 7
H J 9 8 7
D J 9 6
C K J 5
South West North East
Pass Pass 1 D 1 H
2 NT Pass 3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — H 6
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