This week's offers are trying to read the cards. Good declarants use tender and play clues to help resolve conjectures. But the declarant cannot use the information you don't have.
East today exceeded the swords, then launched an offer of three clubs in its second round. When South played in four hearts, West led clubs, and East took the K-A and came out with a shovel.
Decquer took the diamonds and a diamond under his king, as East followed. (If East had rushed, he would only have scrambled the loser of the South Diamond).
Make four
South then instructed the King of the Trumps. When East played the ten, South knew how to leave the jack goes outside. Trump drew and lost a diamond, doing four.
East may have intended that his three clubs suggest a sacrifice, a dubious perspective, or divert the leadership of opening the West blade against a North-South heart contract. But if East never offers at all, West can always lead a club against four hearts, then South must guess Trump well to succeed.
Daily question
Hold: S A K H A 7 5 4 D A 8 7 6 5 C 9 3. The distributor, on your right, opens a shovel. What are you saying?
Answer: Double. If the partner "progresses" in a red suit, it's okay. If he offers two clubs, bite the ball and go; Another offer would show a strong hand and yours is closer to the minimum. (In an offer of two clubs, some pairs use "conversion of the same level" and would allow an offer of two diamonds, and not the promising additional force).
West Concessionaire
None of the vulnerable sides
north
s a k
h to 7 5 4
D to 8 7 6 5
c 9 3
West
s J 9 4
h Q 8 3
d q 10 3
c J 8 5 2
east
s 10 7 6 5 3
h 10
d J 2
c a k 7 6 4
on
s Q 8 2
h k j 9 6 2
d k 9 4
c q 10
West North East South
Pass 1D 1S 2H
Pass 2s 3c (!) Pass
Pass 3h pass 4h
All passes
Opening opening - C 2
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