Bridge: April 22, 2023

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

“Something to fall back on? If I’m falling, I want to fall forward.” — actor Denzel Washington

A common approach in dummy play is to seek multiple chances for your contract. If one doesn’t work, you have some to fall back on. At today’s 3NT, South counted seven top tricks: two spades, two diamonds, three clubs. He could surely get one heart trick and had a chance for an extra trick in hearts, diamonds and clubs. The idea was to try everything.

LAST STOPPER

South started by winning the first spade in dummy and leading a heart to his king. West took the ace — one chance gone — and led another spade to force out the ace. South next took the A-K of clubs. A 3-2 break would have seen him home, but West threw a diamond.

South had one fall-back left. He led a diamond to his ace and back to dummy’s jack, and his last chance came home. The finesse won, and the king of diamonds gave South his ninth trick.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S Q 10 7 3 2 H A J 8 D Q 8 6 4 C 10. Your partner opens one heart. The next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: This case is close, but your hand is too strong for a single raise to two hearts. You have nine high-card points — true, some may not be of much help to partner — and a singleton. Temporize with a response of one spade. If partner rebids two hearts, raise to three; if he bids two of a minor, jump to three hearts to invite game.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S K 5

H 7 6 3 2

D K J 2

C A K Q 3

WEST

S Q 10 7 3 2

H A J 8

D Q 8 6 4

C 10

EAST

S J 9 4

H 10 9 4

D 10 9 5

C J 9 8 6

SOUTH

S A 8 6

H K Q 5

D A 7 3

C 7 5 4 2

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

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