Bridge: April 4, 2024

The player we know as “Secondhand Rose” was at my club today. When the lesson about “second hand low” on defense was taught, Rose must have been out with Jiggs the plumber.

As West, Rose led the jack of clubs against 3NT. Dummy played low, and East encouraged with the ten. South won and led a heart toward dummy, and Secondhand Rose … with the queen!

South was stuck. If he ducked to keep communication, Rose would lead her last club, and East would run the clubs. South was reluctant to finesse in diamonds, so he returned a spade to his hand and tried a second heart to dummy’s ten. East won and led another spade, and South went down three.

NINE TRICKS

South could have done better, but he makes 3NT if Rose plays low on the first heart. Dummy plays the ten. East wins and leads a spade, but South wins, runs the hearts and has nine tricks.

If South had the jack of hearts, he was fated to succeed. If he had two low hearts, as the bidding suggested, Rose needed to put up her queen.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A K 5 3 H 3 2 D A K J 5 3 C A 4. The dealer, at your right, opens one heart. You double, and your partner responds (“advances”) two clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your partner may have nothing, and even if he has a few points, your game chances are uncertain. (Four spades is an unlikely contract when partner didn’t bid spades.) Bid two diamonds, promising a strong hand. If partner has anything, you will hear from him.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S 8 7 6

H A K 10 9 4

D 7 2

C Q 8 3

WEST

S Q 9 4

H Q 6 5

D Q 9 8 6 4

C J 7

EAST

S J 10 2

H J 8 7

D 10

C K 10 9 6 5 2

SOUTH

S A K 5 3

H 3 2

D A K J 5 3

C A 4

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

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