Bridge: March 21, 2024

No doubt you know of Sherlock Holmes’ “curious incident of the dog in the night.” Such logic can be applied at the bridge table.

In today’s deal, South played at two hearts. East’s failure to act was timid; his side could have won at least nine tricks at diamonds. West led the K-A of clubs and a third club to East’s queen.

No barking so far.

East then led a diamond. West took his ace and returned a diamond, and South won, drew trumps and had to play the spades for one loser to make his contract. And right then, South recalled the dog that didn’t bark.

OPENING BID

West had to hold the ace of spades; if East had an ace plus the queen of clubs, he would have responded to the opening bid. West had also shown the A-K of clubs and ace of diamonds. He probably had balanced distribution, perhaps 3-3-4-3. But if West had a hand such as AJ6,642,A763,AK4, he would have opened 1NT.

So South led a spade to dummy’s king and returned a spade to his nine. Making two.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A 8 6 H 6 4 2 D A 7 6 3 C A K 4. The dealer, at your left, opens one heart, and two passes follow. You double, and your partner bids 1NT. What do you say?

ANSWER: This situation is delicate, and expert opinion might vary. Since you would have “balanced” with fewer than your actual 15 points, you can reasonably act again. Moreover, many players would treat partner’s 1NT as constructive; with a weak hand, he would strain to bid a suit. Bid 2NT.

West dealer

Both sides vulnerable

NORTH

S K 10 5 4

H K 8 7 3

D J 10

C J 10 6

WEST

S A 8 6

H 6 4 2

D A 7 6 3

C A K 4

EAST

S J 7 3

H 5

D 9 8 5 4 2

C Q 8 7 3

SOUTH

S Q 9 2

H A Q J 10 9

D K Q

C 9 5 2

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

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