If I had a nickel for every time I had no idea what was going on, I would think, “Why do I keep getting all these nickels?” -– graffiti
In a team-of-four match, both Souths played at 3NT, and West led a spade. Both declarers played low from dummy, ducked East’s jack, won the spade return with the king and led a diamond to the king. At one table West took the ace and led a third spade. South won and led a second diamond, and when West followed with the deuce, dummy played the eight. East won but had no more spades, and South had nine tricks.
SYMPATHY
I can sympathize with the second declarer; when he led a diamond to his king at Trick Three, West followed with the deuce!
Now South didn’t know what was going on; he led a second diamond, and when West played the jack, South played low from dummy, hoping East had held A-5. But East played the ten, and West led a third spade, forcing out the ace. South then led a third diamond. He was stunned when West took the ace — and two spades. Down one.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S Q 9 8 5 3 H Q 8 D A J 2 C 7 5 4. Your partner opens one heart, you respond one spade, he bids two diamonds and you return to two hearts. Partner then bids two spades. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your partner has a strongish hand. If he had a minimum hand with three-card spade support -– say KJ2,AK654,Q654,3 – he would have raised your one spade to two spades to limit his strength. You have nine points, none “wasted” opposite partner’s club shortness. Bid four spades.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S K 4
H A 7 5
D Q 9 8 6 4
C J 6 3
WEST
S Q 9 8 5 3
H Q 8
D A J 2
C 7 5 4
EAST
S J 7 2
H J 10 4 2
D 10 5
C Q 10 9 2
SOUTH
S A 10 6
H K 9 6 3
D K 7 3
C A K 8
South West North East
1 NT Pass 3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — S 5
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