Bridge: July 15, 2023
“Simple Saturday” columns focus on basic technique and logical thinking.
Bidding is not an exact science, and even world-class pairs reach contracts that are poor or worse. As declarer, you may need to assume the defenders’ cards lie favorably.
Today’s South scraped up a 1NT response to North’s one heart and found himself propelled into game. He won West’s queen of spades in dummy and led the ace of clubs and then the jack. East refused to take his king, and the jack won. South then tried the A-K of hearts and a third heart, but East won and led another spade. South took his ace of diamonds and gave up. Down two.
“Maybe I should have passed one heart,” South sighed.
MAKEABLE
The contract was poor but makeable. When East plays low on the jack of clubs, South should overtake with his queen and lead a third club. He must assume that East has K-x-x. South will win four clubs, two hearts, two spades and a diamond.
South has about an 18 percent chance — better than none.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S K 6 4 H A K 6 5 2 D A 10 7 C A J. You open one heart, your partner responds two clubs, you jump to 3NT and he bids 4NT. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your 3NT showed 18 or 19 points with balanced pattern. Partner’s 4NT is not the Blackwood ace-asking convention but simply a raise to try for slam, as a raise of 1NT to 2NT would invite game. Since you have 19 points with primary honors, including two valuable club honors, bid 6NT.
North dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S K 6 4
H A K 6 5 2
D A 10 7
C A J
WEST
S Q J 10 8
H J 9 8 3
D K 8
C 10 9 5
EAST
S 9 5 2
H Q 10 7
D Q J 9 4
C K 8 4
SOUTH
S A 7 3
H 4
D 6 5 3 2
C Q 7 6 3 2
North East South West
1 H Pass 1 NT Pass
3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — S Q
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