Bridge: Sept. 30, 2023

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

If you’ve followed this week’s columns, you’ve seen a treatment of “avoidance,” an elementary technique that involves preventing a “dangerous” defender from gaining the lead.

In today’s deal, West leads a low spade against 3NT. If he has led from the king, South can play low from dummy, take the queen, go after the diamonds and make at least one overtrick.

But that play is risky. If East has the king of spades, he will win and may shift to hearts, threatening declarer with the loss of too many tricks.

WILL BE SAFE

Can South afford to win the first spade with the ace? Yes, because when he finesses in diamonds next, he will be safe even if West has the king. South’s queen of spades will be safe from attack, and he will have four diamonds, three clubs, a heart and a spade.

As in many deals, declarer must consider what measures — such as avoidance — are required before he plays to the first trick.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S J 8 7 5 2 H K 9 7 3 D K 8 C 10 2. Neither side vulnerable. The dealer, at your left, opens three clubs. Your partner doubles, and the next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: To double and oblige you to respond at the three level, partner has a hand worth at least 17 points, usually with support for every unbid suit. If you held 108752,J973,J8,102, you would bid three spades. With your actual hand, bid four spades or cue-bid four clubs.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S A 4

H 8 4 2

D Q 9 4 2

C A Q 6 5

WEST

S J 8 7 5 2

H K 9 7 3

D K 8

C 10 2

EAST

S K 10 3

H Q J 5

D 6 5

C J 9 8 7 3

SOUTH

S Q 9 6

H A 10 6

D A J 10 7 3

C K 4

South West North East
1 D Pass 2 C Pass
2 NT Pass 3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — S 5

©2023 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.