Unlucky Louie likes to fish; he had been away from the club, wading in a stream populated by trout.
“It’s amazing,” Rose told me. “He can wait patiently for a fish to bite but can’t take a moment to plan his play as declarer.”
Louie played at today’s 3NT. West led a spade, and East played the king.
“Louie took the ace,” Rose said, “and in the same motion he led the nine of hearts and let it ride. East took the king and returned the jack of spades. Louie won and had only eight tricks — four hearts, two spades and two diamonds — and East had the ace of clubs and another spade. Down one.”
DOWNFALL
Impatience is Louie’s downfall. East had opened the bidding; he surely had the king of hearts. But Louie could (if he thought about it) lead a diamond to dummy at Trick Two and return the deuce of clubs.
If East took the ace, Louie would have four clubs and nine tricks in all. If instead East played low, Louie would win and pass the nine of hearts to win nine tricks.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S 8 3 H A J 10 7 3 D A 8 4 C Q J 2. Your partner opens one spade, you respond two hearts, he bids three clubs and you try 3NT. Partner then bids four hearts. What do you say?
ANSWER: Partner’s second bid was a strength-showing “high reverse.” Since he stopped to bid three clubs before supporting hearts, he suggests slam. With AK742,K92,5,K1076, he would have raised to three hearts. Cue-bid five diamonds. Partner may hold AK742,KQ2,5,A976.
East dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S 8 3
H A J 10 7 3
D A 8 4
C Q J 2
WEST
S 10 9 7 5 4 2
H 6 5
D J 9 7 5
C 6
EAST
S K J 6
H K 8 4
D Q 10 3
C A 10 9 8
SOUTH
S A Q
H Q 9 2
D K 6 2
C K 7 5 4 3
East South West North
1 C Pass Pass 1 H
Pass 2 NT Pass 3 NT
All Pass
Opening lead — S 5
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Originally published at Frank Stewart