If I had a nickel for every time I had no idea what was going on, I would think, “Why do I keep getting all these nickels?” » –– graffiti
In a four-man tag team match, both Souths played 3NT and West led a spade. Both declarers played low from dummy, dodged East’s jack, won the spade return with the king, and led a diamond to the king. At one table, West took the ace and threw a third spade. South won and led a second frame, and when West followed with a tie, dummy played the eight. East won but had no spades left, and South had nine tricks.
SYMPATHY
I can sympathize with the second declarant; when he led a diamond to his king in the third round, West followed with the deuce!
Now, South didn’t know what was happening; he led a second frame, and when West played jack, South played low from dummy, hoping East had held A-5. But East played the ten and West threw a third spade, forcing the ace. South then led a third frame. He was stunned when West took the ace – and two spades. Down one.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: SQ 9 8 5 3 HQ 8 DAJ 2 C 7 5 4. Your partner opens a heart, you respond with a spade, he bets two diamonds and you return to two hearts. The partner then offers two spades. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your partner has a stronger hand. If he had a minimal hand with three-card spade support – say KJ2, AK654, Q654,3 – he would have increased your spade to two spades to limit his strength. You have nine points, none of which were “wasted” due to the shortness of your partner’s club. Offer four spades.
South Dealer
BORN. vulnerable
NORTH
SK 4
HA 7 5
DQ9 8 6 4
CJ 6 3
WEST
LP 9 8 5 3
HQ 8
DAJ2
C 7 5 4
EAST
SJ7 2
HJ10 4 2
D 10 5
CQ10 9 2
SOUTH
SA 10 6
Hong Kong 9 6 3
DK 7 3
CAK 8
South West North East
1 Pass NT 3 Pass NT All
Opening lead — S 5
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