Bridge: Dec. 12, 2023

“I have this ability to tell what’s inside a wrapped package. I think it’s … a gift.” – graffiti

Some players think “card reading” – figuring out what the opponents hold – is a skill for experts and maybe a gift. But logical thinking is for all.

Today’s West leads the eight of spades against 3NT. Declarer could succeed by grabbing dummy’s ace, but he fears that West might have led from a doubleton. Declarer plays the queen from dummy. If East takes the king and returns the jack – a natural play – South wins and loses a club finesse. The defense takes two more spades, but South has the rest, making three.

NINE OF SPADES

East should wonder why declarer made it easy for him to continue spades. West’s lead of the eight marks South with the nine, so South could have played low from dummy effectively. Logic suggests that declarer fears a shift. At Trick Two, East should lead the jack of diamonds. The defense will get three diamonds, a spade and the king of clubs.

When you play against a capable declarer, solid inferences are available from his line of play.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S K J 10 5 H 10 8 4 D K J 2 C 8 6 5. Your partner opens one heart. The next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: Bid two hearts. You immediately confirm a fit and limit your strength, whereas a response of one spade would do neither. If you respond one spade and partner next bids, say, two clubs, your preference back to two hearts will suggest only a tolerance, not real support. It is possible that a spade contract might be superior, but to determine that at a low level is impossible.

South dealer

Both sides vulnerable

NORTH

S A Q 6

H A K J 9 5

D 10 4

C J 10 2

WEST

S 8 7 2

H 7 6 3

D Q 9 8 3

C K 7 4

EAST

S K J 10 5

H 10 8 4

D K J 2

C 8 6 5

SOUTH

S 9 4 3

H Q 2

D A 7 6 5

C A Q 9 3

South West North East
1 C Pass 1 H Pass
1 NT Pass 3 NT All Pass
Opening lead – S 8

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