“At least it was only a vulnerable game,” North mourned. “Sometimes the man’s relentless pursuit of overtricks costs a slam.”
Joe Overberry believes it’s nobler to go down trying for overtricks than to make what he bid. His habit costs him — and his unfortunate partners — thousands of points.
Joe was declarer at today’s 3NT, and West led a heart, riding to the jack. Joe next led a diamond: six, ten, jack. East returned a heart to dummy’s king.
TWO HEARTS
Joe next led a club to his hand and a second diamond … and West threw a club. Joe frowned, took dummy’s ace and led a spade to his jack. West took the queen, led another heart to Joe’s ace, won the next spade and cashed two hearts. Down one.
“There goes another 700 points,” North grumbled.
Joe starts with four clubs, three hearts and a diamond. For one more sure trick, he leads the king of spades at Trick Two. If West wins and leads another heart, Joe wins and leads a second spade to set up his ninth trick.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S 10 8 5 H K 3 D A Q 10 5 C Q 10 9 4. Your partner opens one heart, you respond two clubs, he bids two diamonds and you raise to three diamonds. Partner then bids three hearts. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your partner would have stopped at three diamonds with no game interest. His three hearts accepts your invitation and suggests a six-card or strong five-card heart suit. You can afford to play at the cheaper game: Raise to four hearts.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S 10 8 5
H K 3
D A Q 10 5
C Q 10 9 4
WEST
S A Q 9
H Q 9 6 5 4
D 6
C 8 5 3 2
EAST
S 7 6 4 2
H 10 8 7
D K J 9 2
C 7 6
SOUTH
S K J 3
H A J 2
D 8 7 4 3
C A K J
South West North East
1 NT Pass 3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — H 5
©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Originally published at Frank Stewart