Bridge: Dec. 5, 2023

A woman member of my club approached me, wearing a look of exasperation.

“Nobody told me,” she said, “that when you get a husband, the ears are sold separately.”

“What happened?” I sighed.

“We defended four spades in the morning duplicate,” she told me, displaying today’s deal. “I led a low heart against four spades. My husband was East. He took the ace and shifted to his singleton club. South won and led a trump to dummy’s queen.”

MAKING FIVE

“My husband took the ace and … returned a heart. Declarer won, drew trumps and ran the clubs, making five. I told my husband that he could easily beat the contract, and he acted as if he didn’t hear me. Maybe he needs a hearing aid.”

The problem may not be hearing-related. East needs to know where West’s entry lies (assuming she has one). West might have either the king of hearts or the ace of diamonds. To find out, East ducks the first trump and wins the next. When West discards the ten of diamonds, East will know what to do.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S Q J 6 H 9 7 D K Q 6 C A Q 10 9 3. You open one club, your partner responds one heart, you bid 1NT and he tries two spades. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner’s two spades — a “reverse” by responder — is forcing to game. You can’t support hearts or spades (and your 1NT denied four cards in spades). A jump to 3NT to suggest a maximum hand or a waiting bid of 2NT would be acceptable. Bid three clubs to show your strong five-card suit.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S Q J 6

H 9 7

D K Q 6

C A Q 10 9 3

WEST

S 3

H Q 10 5 3 2

D A 10 9

C 8 6 5 2

EAST

S A 7 5

H A 8 4

D J 8 7 5 4 2

C 7

SOUTH

S K 10 9 8 4 2

H K J 6

D 3

C K J 4

North East South West
1 C Pass 1 S Pass
2 S Pass 4 S All Pass
Opening lead — H 3

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