In a holiday cartoon, Santa’s sleigh has plowed into the roof of a house, packages are strewn all over, and Santa is upset with Rudolph:
“I warned you about texting while driving. Next year I’m using GPS.”
When you’re behind the wheel, focus on the road. When you’re declarer, focus on the contract — and on what might go wrong. In today’s deal, North-South stopped delicately (and accurately) at five spades. West led the queen of clubs, and declarer won with the ace and led a trump.
When West won and led another club, East ruffed dummy’s king and led a diamond. West won and cashed a club for down two.
FIRST CLUB
South was unfocused. Only a ruff can endanger the contract, so he must win the first club in dummy and pitch his last two clubs on the A-K of hearts. Then he can lead a trump and lose only to West’s ace.
Unlucky Louie, Cy the Cynic, Wendy, Minnie Bottoms and all the members of my club join me in wishing for my readers a holiday season of peace and joy.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S A H J 4 2 D A 9 8 C Q J 10 9 8 7. You open one club, your partner bids one diamond, you rebid two clubs and he tries two hearts. What do you say?
ANSWER: Partner’s bid of two hearts — a “reverse” by responder — is game-forcing. Your two clubs suggested a six-card or longer suit. Bid three diamonds. “Support with support” is a sound tenet. Tell partner you have support for his first suit.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S Q 6 4
H A K 5 3
D Q 10 4
C K 6 5
WEST
S A
H J 4 2
D A 9 8
C Q J 10 9 8 7
EAST
S 9 8 2
H Q 10 9 8 7 6
D 7 5 2
C 2
SOUTH
S K J 10 7 5 3
H None
D K J 6 3
C A 4 3
South West North East
1 S 2C 3 NT Pass
4 C Pass 4 H Pass
4 S Pass 5 C Pass
5 S All Pass
Opening lead — C Q
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