Bridge: April 5, 2024

Cy the Cynic asserts that no matter what goes wrong, there will always be somebody who said it would.

Today’s North-South stopped at six hearts. East had doubled North’s cue bid of four spades, so West led a spade. South took dummy’s ace and cashed the queen and ace of trumps.

Had East-West followed, South could have claimed an overtrick. But when West discarded, South was in a fix. He ruffed a spade with dummy’s last trump and started the diamonds, but East ruffed the second diamond and cashed his K-Q of spades.

DOWN AT SIX

“Everything happens to me,” South grumbled. “Seven hearts would have been a great contract, though I don’t see how we could have bid it. I went down at six.”

South has 12 easy tricks even if trumps break 4-1, so he should safeguard his small slam. At Trick Two he plays a low trump from both hands; he concedes a possible trump loser early to keep control. If East shifts to a club, South can win, draw trumps and run the diamonds. The contract is safe.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S 10 9 6 2 H A K 5 4 3 D K 6 C A K. Neither side vulnerable. The dealer, at your right, opens three diamonds. What do you say?

ANSWER: This is a tough problem, and expert opinion would vary. Double for takeout, hoping partner responds in a major. If he must bid four clubs, you will be in distress. To overcall three hearts is possible but might miss a spade fit. I would not consider bidding 3NT.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S A

H Q 8 6

D A Q J 10 4

C 8 7 5 2

WEST

S J 8 4 3

H 2

D 9 8 7 5 2

C J 6 3

EAST

S K Q 7 5

H J 10 9 7

D 3

C Q 10 9 4

SOUTH

S 10 9 6 2

H A K 5 4 3

D K 6

C A K

North East South West
1 D Pass 1 H Pass
2 H Pass 2 S Pass
3 D Pass 4 C Pass
4 S Dbl 6 H All Pass
Opening lead — S 3

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