My friend the English professor says that people who use wrong words should have the humidity to admit it. I could make a similar comment about declarers who face several finesses and try the wrong one first.
Against 3NT, West led the queen of clubs, and South won with the king to finesse in diamonds, his long suit. East won and had no club to return, which was just as well: He led the ten of hearts, and West took the king and returned a heart.
EIGHT TRICKS
South had eight tricks: four diamonds, a heart, two clubs and a spade. He ran the diamonds, but when he finessed in spades, West took the king and led his last heart, and East took three hearts. Down two.
When South finessed in diamonds first, he risked losing to East, the “dangerous” defender who might lead a killing heart. South must win the first club in dummy and finesse in spades. West wins, but no return can hurt South. He will have time to finesse in diamonds and win at least nine tricks.
This week: “avoidance.”
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S 7 6 2 H Q J D A 8 7 4 3 C A 5 2. Your partner opens one heart, you bid two diamonds and he rebids two hearts. What do you say?
ANSWER: You have two options. If you judge to commit to game — and your two aces and heart honors would make that view quite reasonable — you might aim toward 3NT by bidding three clubs. If you judge to settle for a game invitation, raise to three hearts. Your Q-J of hearts in support are as good as three low hearts.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S 7 6 2
H Q J
D A 8 7 4 3
C A 5 2
WEST
S K 10
H K 6 5 2
D 5
C Q J 9 8 6 3
EAST
S 9 8 5 4 3
H 10 9 8 7 4
D K 2
C 7
SOUTH
S A Q J
H A 3
D Q J 10 9 6
C K 10 4
South West North East
1 NT Pass 3 NT All Pass
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