Cy the Cynic asserts that no matter what goes wrong, there will always be somebody who said it would.
Today’s North-South stopped at six hearts. East had doubled North’s cue bid of four spades, so West led a spade. South took dummy’s ace and cashed the queen and ace of trumps.
Had East-West followed, South could have claimed an overtrick. But when West discarded, South was in a fix. He ruffed a spade with dummy’s last trump and started the diamonds, but East ruffed the second diamond and cashed his K-Q of spades.
DOWN AT SIX
“Everything happens to me,” South grumbled. “Seven hearts would have been a great contract, though I don’t see how we could have bid it. I went down at six.”
South has 12 easy tricks even if trumps break 4-1, so he should safeguard his small slam. At Trick Two he plays a low trump from both hands; he concedes a possible trump loser early to keep control. If East shifts to a club, South can win, draw trumps and run the diamonds. The contract is safe.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S 10 9 6 2 H A K 5 4 3 D K 6 C A K. Neither side vulnerable. The dealer, at your right, opens three diamonds. What do you say?
ANSWER: This is a tough problem, and expert opinion would vary. Double for takeout, hoping partner responds in a major. If he must bid four clubs, you will be in distress. To overcall three hearts is possible but might miss a spade fit. I would not consider bidding 3NT.
North dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S A
H Q 8 6
D A Q J 10 4
C 8 7 5 2
WEST
S J 8 4 3
H 2
D 9 8 7 5 2
C J 6 3
EAST
S K Q 7 5
H J 10 9 7
D 3
C Q 10 9 4
SOUTH
S 10 9 6 2
H A K 5 4 3
D K 6
C A K
North East South West
1 D Pass 1 H Pass
2 H Pass 2 S Pass
3 D Pass 4 C Pass
4 S Dbl 6 H All Pass
Opening lead — S 3
©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Originally published at Frank Stewart