Bridge: Nov. 2, 2024

Simple Saturday columns focus on basic technique and logical thinking.

Today’s North-South reach 6NT in four rounds of bidding. South’s two hearts — a “reverse” — promises extra strength. (Some pairs, especially those who play a two-over-one response as game forcing, treat it otherwise.) When West leads the ten of clubs, South starts by counting sure winners. He has two spades, a heart, four diamonds and four clubs.

What chances does South have for a 12th trick? In what order should he try his chances?

THIRD SPADE

If East holds the queen of spades, South can get a third spade trick by leading from dummy toward his jack. He can get a second heart trick by finessing with his queen successfully. But if South finesses in hearts first, losing, he goes down; to get three spade tricks, he must lose one.

Declarer should win the first club in dummy and lead the deuce of spades. When East has the queen, declarer is safe. If West had it, declarer would probably finesse in hearts.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A K 6 2 H 7 3 D K 10 4 C A J 6 5. Your partner opens one diamond. North in today’s deal responded two clubs with this hand. Do you agree with that call?

ANSWER: Many players, including experts, would respond one spade, looking for a fit in the major. But since North had enough strength for several bids, to bid clubs and then spades was not an error. With AK62,73,K10,AJ965, everyone would bid two clubs.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S A K 6 2

H 7 3

D K 10 4

C A J 6 5

WEST

S 10 5 3

H K J 9

D 9 3

C 10 9 8 7 2

EAST

S Q 9 8 4

H 10 8 6 4

D 7 6 5 2

C 3

SOUTH

S J 7

H A Q 5 2

D A Q J 8

C K Q 4

South West North East1 D Pass 2 C Pass2 H Pass 2 S Pass4 C Pass 4 D Pass4 NT Pass 6 NT All PassOpening lead — C 10

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