Bridge has an undeniable luck element, but you shouldn’t trust to luck. That rabbit’s foot didn’t work too well for the rabbit.
Today’s South responded 1NT because in North-South’s system a bid of two diamonds would have forced to game. Against 3NT, West led a low heart, and declarer must have thought it was his lucky day since he played low from dummy.
After winning with the jack, South took the K-A of diamonds, and his luck ran out when West discarded. South could set up his long diamonds but couldn’t get back to his hand to cash them. He managed only eight tricks.
ENTRY
Luck tends to disfavor declarers who play too hastily. South must preserve an entry to his hand in case the diamonds break 4-1. He wins the first heart with dummy’s ace, takes his high diamonds and concedes the fourth diamond to East.
If East returns a heart to West’s king — no defense is better — South wins the next heart and is sure of five diamonds, two hearts and the black-suit aces.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S A J 9 5 4 H A 7 4 D K 3 C A 10 5. The dealer, at your right, opens one diamond. You overcall one spade, the next player raises to two diamonds and two passes follow. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your partner is marked with a smattering of points; if he had none, the opponents would have tried for game. Double, asking partner to bid a suit or support your spades. Don’t sell out at the two level; get in there and fight for the partscore.
North dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S A J 9 5 4
H A 7 4
D K 3
C A 10 5
WEST
S K 10 6 3
H K 10 8 6 5
D 10
C Q 9 7
EAST
S Q 8 2
H 9 3
D J 9 8 2
C K 6 4 2
SOUTH
S 7
H Q J 2
D A Q 7 6 5 4
C J 8 3
North East South West
1 S Pass 1 NT Pass
2 NT Pass 3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — H 6
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Originally published at Frank Stewart