Children can learn bridge (though it requires patience, a late-developing trait); I remember playing a sort of three-handed bridge with my parents. I also recall a children’s game called “Duck, Duck, Goose.” What all that has to do with today’s deal will be seen.
Against 3NT, West led a high heart, and South won and led a club: seven, king, ace. He won East’s heart return, led a second club to dummy’s queen and conceded a club. The defense took the A-K of spades, holding South to his contract.
Question: Were there any geese in the game? Could there have been ducks?
FIRST CLUB
South and East were geese. East prevails by ducking the first club. Then South lacks the dummy entries to set up and cash the long clubs and wins only seven tricks.
South must duck the first club (playing low from dummy), forcing East to win. South can win the heart return, lead a second club to the king and ace, win the third heart, and go to the ace of diamonds to run the clubs.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S Q 9 7 6 3 H A K Q D K Q J C 8 2. Your partner opens one diamond, you bid one spade and he rebids two diamonds. What do you say?
ANSWER: Slam is possible; your partner might hold a suitable minimum hand such as 4,876,A107643,AK5. To blast into six diamonds or bid 4NT, giving the opening leader little or no help, might work. If you prefer to investigate, bid two hearts, forcing, and support the diamonds strongly at your next turn.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S J 5
H J 10
D A 10 9
C K Q 9 6 5 3
WEST
S K 10 4
H 9 8 6 4 2
D 8 5 3
C 10 7
EAST
S A 8 2
H 7 5 3
D 7 6 4 2
C A J 4
SOUTH
S Q 9 7 6 3
H A K Q
D K Q J
C 8 2
South West North East
1 S Pass 2 C Pass
3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — H 9
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Originally published at Frank Stewart