“If you’re looking for a sign from God, this is it.” — a message on a sign beside a church in my town.
Today’s South zooms into six spades, expecting North to produce a shapely hand with a big spade fit. If North had held the king of clubs instead of the ace of hearts, South would have had 13 tricks.
As it was, South ruffed the first heart, drew trumps, took the A-K of diamonds and ruffed a diamond. He threw a club on the ace of hearts, ruffed dummy’s last heart and ruffed his last diamond. At the end, he led a club from dummy — and lost two clubs to West.
GUIDANCE
If you’re looking for guidance as declarer, a surplus of trumps may be a sign of a possible end play. As South played, he could pitch a club from dummy on the fourth diamond. West would have to return a club from his king or yield a ruff-sluff.
South could also lead a trump to dummy at Trick Two, discard a club on the ace of hearts, ruff a heart, lead a trump to dummy and let the ten of diamonds ride.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S A Q 6 4 3 H None D A K 9 8 C A Q 8 3. You open one spade, your partner responds 1NT, you jump to three diamonds and he bids 3NT. The opponents pass. What do you say?
ANSWER: To pass might be correct, but partner didn’t bid three hearts at his second turn, and your hand certainly doesn’t look suitable for notrump. Bid four clubs. If, unluckily, no playable trump suit is available, and 3NT was the only makeable game, you will apologize.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S K J 10 9 5
H A 7 4
D 10 3
C 5 4 2
WEST
S 7
H K Q J 10
D Q J 7 6
C K J 7 6
EAST
S 8 2
H 9 8 6 5 3 2
D 5 4 2
C 10 9
SOUTH
S A Q 6 4 3
H None
D A K 9 8
C A Q 8 3
South West North East
1 S Dbl 4 S Pass
6 S All Pass
Opening lead — H K
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Originally published at Frank Stewart