Sunday, May 2, 2004

BRIDGE

SOUTH had only 18 points, it’s true, but his loser-count was just four (one in each of the majors, two in clubs), so prospects for a slam were good. Also East’s 4D suggested that North would have little wasted in diamonds, opposite the bare ace. A diamond was led to the ace and declarer cashed the ace of trumps, discovering the 4-0 break. How would you have continued? If trumps had been 3-1 or 2-2, you could simply have thrown a club from dummy on the fourth heart, given up a club, and ruffed a club for your twelfth trick. The 4-0 trump break prevents you from doing this (unless West also has four hearts and will have to follow suit all the way). A idea is to reverse the dummy, ruffing two diamonds in the South hand, drawing trumps in the North hand, and eventually throwing one of North’s clubs on your last heart. At Trick 2 you play a spade to the 8 and jack. You then ruff a diamond high and lead the club king, which East will probably duck. A heart to the ace is followed by a second high diamond ruff. You then play a low trump to dummy’s 7, draw the last trump, and score three more hearts for the contract.

What would you say now on the West cards?

Answer

A raise to 3D would be non-forcing, so you cannot risk that. The name is true of 3S, which is again non-forcing. To bid 3NT without a club stopper is too much of a gamble. The best idea is to show your strength with a bid in the fourth suit (3C). After partner’s response you will have a much better idea game (or slam) will be best.

Awards: 3C (fourth suit)-10, 4D/3NT-6, 3S/3D-3.

— Knight Features

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