Bridge: Oct. 29, 2024

“Your honor,” the District Attorney stated, “we will prove that South committed a felony: He lost a cold vulnerable game.”

“Proceed,” the judge instructed, and the court kibitzed the evidence.

“South played at four hearts after East opened one spade,” the DA began, “West led the ten of spades, and East overtook with the jack, cashed the king and led the ace. South ruffed with the queen of trumps, and West overruffed with the king and led a club.

“South took dummy’s ace and had to find the queen of diamonds. When he let the jack ride, West won for down one. We ask for a directed verdict of guilty.”

INNOCENT

“My client is innocent,” South’s counsel insisted. “He was entitled to play East, who opened the bidding, for either the king of trumps or the queen of diamonds.”

How would you rule?

South was guilty. He must ruff the third spade with the ace of trumps, take the ace of clubs, ruff dummy’s jack and exit with a trump. The defender who wins will be end-played.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S Q 6 4 H 10 9 6 5 3 D K J 7 C A J. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart, he bids two clubs and you try 2NT. Partner then bids three diamonds. What do you say?

ANSWER: Most experts would treat partner’s diamonds-clubs-diamonds sequence as showing six diamonds, four clubs and extra strength. With a minimum 6-4 hand, he would have rebid two diamonds. Bid five diamonds. Partner may hold 3,A2,AQ10863,KQ76.

East dealer

Both sides vulnerable

NORTH

S Q 6 4

H 10 9 6 5 3

D K J 7

C A J

WEST

S 10 5

H K

D Q 8 4 2

C Q 7 6 5 3 2

EAST

S A K J 9 8 2

H None

D 9 6 3

C K 10 9 4

SOUTH

S 7 3

H A Q J 8 7 4 2

D A 10 5

C 8

East
South
West
North
1 S
2 H
Pass
3 H
Pass
4 H
All Pass

Opening lead — S 10