Wendy, my club’s feminist, is employed as a paralegal. She was West in a penny game, and East was her adversary Cy the Cynic.
Against 3NT, Wendy led a low spade. South pondered, won with dummy’s king and led a low heart. Cy played low — and declarer put up the king. He lost a club finesse, won Cy’s spade return and claimed nine tricks.
“Great defense, partner,” Wendy growled. “If my firm defended you, we would advise you to plead guilty.”
“I just played ‘second hand low,’” the Cynic shrugged.
SILENT
Wendy told the kibitzers that some people don’t know they have a right to remain silent even if they haven’t been arrested.
With dummy’s clubs a threat to give South nine tricks, Cy must set up some tricks in a hurry. Cy must grab the first heart with his ace. Then his best chance is to lead the queen of diamonds, playing Wendy for a diamond honor. (If South has the A-K, 3NT may be unbeatable.) Cy sets up four diamonds to go with his ace of hearts and king of clubs.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S J 10 H A 7 3 2 D Q J 8 5 2 C K 5. Your partner opens one club, the next player overcalls one spade, you bid two diamonds and your partner bids two hearts. What do you say?
ANSWER: This situation is often misunderstood. If you had the non-competitive auction one club-one spade, two hearts, opener’s second bid would be a strong “reverse.” But here, opener made the cheapest bid available; his hand may be a minimum. Just raise to three hearts.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S K 6 4
H 8 5
D 6 3
C A Q 9 7 6 2
WEST
S Q 9 7 5 2
H Q 9 6
D K 9 7
C 8 3
EAST
S J 10
H A 7 3 2
D Q J 8 5 2
C K 5
SOUTH
S A 8 3
H K J 10 4
D A 10 4
C J 10 4
South West North East
1 C Pass 3 C Pass
3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — S 5
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