Luke: “Yoda, are you sure we’re headed in the right direction?”
Yoda: “Off course we are.”
The defenders have a head start in the play; they get to make the opening lead. If that lead is ineffective, they may have time to change course.
Today’s West led the ten of spades against 3NT, and dummy played the jack. East took his ace and, without thinking about it, returned a spade. Declarer produced the queen, led a club to dummy and lost a diamond finesse. West led a third spade, but South had two spade tricks, three diamonds and four clubs. He also scored a heart at the end.
NO ENTRY
East needed to alter course. He has nine points, and dummy has 12. If South has 16 to open 1NT, West can’t have the queen of spades plus an entry.
East’s only chance is to find West with an entry plus a bit of help in hearts. At Trick Two East must shift to a low heart: four, ten, queen. When West gets in with the king of diamonds, his heart return gives the defense five tricks.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S A 7 3 H A J 6 2 D 7 3 2 C 8 7 2. Your partner opens one club, you respond one heart and he bids one spade. The opponents pass. What do you say?
ANSWER: This situation is uncomfortable. Your partner might have an 18-point hand or a shapely hand with as few as 11 points. Since game is possible, for you to pass — with two aces and a working jack — would risk missing out. No bid is ideal. Bid 1NT despite your lack of diamond strength.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S K J 4
H K Q 9
D 10 9 8 5
C K 10 4
WEST
S 10 9 8 6 2
H 10 5 3
D K 4
C 9 6 5
EAST
S A 7 3
H A J 6 2
D 7 3 2
C 8 7 2
SOUTH
S Q 5
H 8 7 4
D A Q J 6
C A Q J 3
South West North East
1 NT Pass 3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — S 10
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