Bridge: Sept. 2, 2023

“Simple Saturday” columns focus on basic technique and logical thinking.

Entries are the means of placing the lead where you want it to be. As declarer, you may be short of entries to dummy; in that case, you may need to create some.

In today’s deal, South’s bidding showed a balanced 23 or 24 points. Against 3NT, West led the ten of clubs, and declarer won and wanted entries to dummy so he could finesse in hearts. After Trick Two he tried a spade to dummy’s ten.

FINESSE

East took the queen and returned a club. South won, led a spade to dummy’s ace and returned a heart to his queen, winning, but he was fresh out of entries to dummy. He took two hearts, two spades, a diamond and three clubs: down one.

At Trick Two South should let the jack of spades ride. If West had the queen, South would be sure of at least nine tricks. When East takes the queen, South can get to dummy twice with the ace and ten of spades for two heart finesses. Again, the contract is safe.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S Q 9 7 4 H K 10 8 2 D K 10 5 C J 5. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart and he next bids two clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner suggests longer diamonds than clubs (or maybe five cards in each suit). Bid two diamonds, getting back to your longer combined trump holding. Your hand is not quite strong enough for an encouraging bid of 2NT, but if partner bids again, showing extra strength, you will insist on game.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S A 10 2

H 6 5 3

D 8 6 3 2

C 6 4 3

WEST

S 8 6 5

H 9 7

D Q J 7 4

C 10 9 8 7

EAST

S Q 9 7 4

H K 10 8 2

D K 10 9

C J 5

SOUTH

S K J 3

H A Q J 4

D A 5

C A K Q 2

South West North East
2 C Pass 2 D Pass
2 NT Pass 3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — C 10

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