Cy the Cynic says that just when everything appears to be going well … life comes by and throws you its line.
Today’s declarer got a taste of that. He jumped boldly to six clubs and was pleased when dummy hit with two aces plus four-card club support. The auction called for a trump lead, but West couldn’t afford to lead from Q-5-3; he led a spade. Declarer won, came to the ace of diamonds, threw dummy’s last diamond on the king of spades and started a joyful crossruff: diamond ruff, ace of hearts, heart ruff, diamond ruff.
ENTRIES
Things seemed to be progressing nicely, but South next ruffed another heart with the ten of trumps. West overruffed with the queen and returned a trump, and South was sunk. He had neither the entries to set up the long hearts nor enough trumps to finish his crossruff. He lost a trick at the end.
To make the slam, South must ruff the third heart with the ace of trumps, ruff a spade and ruff a heart with the king. Then he can continue crossruffing, and West scores only his high trump.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S 8 6 5 3 2 H K J 9 5 D 7 4 2 C 2. The dealer, at your left, opens one diamond. Your partner doubles, you respond (“advance”) one spade, and he raises to three spades. What do you say?
ANSWWER: Partner has committed you to a nine-trick contract, and your hand could be worse. You have a five-card suit, a useful K-J, and no “wasted” points in diamonds opposite the likely shortness in partner’s hand. Bid four spades. He may hold AK74,AQ84,3,AJ63.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S A
H A Q 10 8 6 3
D 5 3
C 9 8 7 4
WEST
S Q 9 7 4
H 7 4
D K J 9 6
C Q 5 3
EAST
S 8 6 5 3 2
H K J 9 5
D 7 4 2
C 2
SOUTH
S K J 10
H 2
D A Q 10 8
C A K J 10 6
South West North East1 C Pass 1 H Pass2 D Pass 3 H Pass3 NT Pass 4 C Pass6 C All Pass Opening lead — S 4
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