Cy the Cynic defines middle age as when you’re old enough to know better — but young enough to keep doing it anyway. Cy is in his forties; he’s old enough to know not to play without thinking, but he keeps doing it.
At 3NT, Cy won the first heart with dummy’s ace and led a spade to finesse with his queen. West took the king to continue hearts. The Cynic won and led the ace and a low spade, but East took the ten and jack, and Cy ended with the same eight top tricks he’d started with.
“You bid 3NT on your own,” North said in dismay, “I had an ace and you went down?”
NO RUSH
Cy’s play was typically impetuous. He has no rush to finesse in spades. Cy can win the first heart in his hand and lead the ace and a low spade. As it happens, the king falls from West, and Cy has nine tricks.
If instead East-West played low spades, Cy would win the next heart in dummy and lead a third spade toward his queen. He would win two spade tricks when the lie of the cards allowed.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S K 9 H J 10 9 8 6 D Q 9 C Q 8 7 5. The dealer, at your left, opens one diamond. Your partner doubles, and the next player bids three diamonds. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your opponent’s jump-raise is weak and preemptive, and you must not let yourself be intimidated. You probably have a nine-card heart fit and at least half the deck in high cards. Even though your queen of diamonds may be a wasted card for offense, bid three hearts.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S 6 4 3
H A 5 2
D 7 6 4 2
C 6 4 2
WEST
S K 9
H J 10 9 8 6
D Q 9
C Q 8 7 5
EAST
S J 10 8 7
H 7 3
D J 10 8 5
C J 10 9
SOUTH
S A Q 5 2
H K Q 4
D A K 3
C A K 3
South West North East
2 C Pass 2 D Pass
3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — H J
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