Bridge: July 11, 2023

“Adam and Eve should have been Cajuns. They would have ignored the apple and eaten the snake.” — graffiti seen in New Orleans.

Players must be aware of the temptation to draw trumps — and resist it. Today’s North-South stopped at five diamonds when six would have been a good spot. (South’s third bid was ill-considered.) West led the K-A of hearts, and South ruffed and dis-resisted when he took the A-Q of trumps. When West discarded, declarer tried the A-K of clubs. East ruffed and led his last trump, and South lost two clubs to West.

“Couldn’t even make four,” South shrugged.

ACE OF CLUBS

South fell from grace when he took two rounds of trumps. (He could have survived one round.) South can take the ace of clubs at Trick Three, go to the king of spades and return a club.

If East ruffs and leads a third heart — discarding is no better — South ruffs, ruffs his last low club in dummy, draws trumps and scores his K-Q of clubs and the ace of spades to fulfill the contract.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S 8 4 H 5 D A K 10 9 8 C A K Q 6 4. Both sides vulnerable. The dealer, at your right, opens one heart. What do you say?

ANSWER: Some players would bid 2NT, “Unusual,” to show length in both minor suits, but that bid should be based on either a weak hand suitable for a sacrifice or a huge hand. With an in-between hand such as this one, it is reasonable to overcall two diamonds, planning to bid clubs at your next turn.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S A K 10 2

H 8 7 6 3

D Q J 5

C 5 2

WEST

S 7 3

H A K Q J 9

D 4

C J 10 8 7 3

EAST

S Q J 9 6 5

H 10 4 2

D 7 6 3 2

C 9

SOUTH

S 8 4

H 5

D A K 10 9 8

C A K Q 6 4

South West North East
1 D 1 H 1 S Pass
2 C Pass 3 D Pass
5 D All Pass
Opening lead — H K

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