Bridge

North chose to respond 2NT, getting the hand off his chest rather than struggling to show the values later. South’s 3S showed a suit of at least five cards and North’s 4H was a cue bid, agreeing spades as trumps. How would you play the spade slam when West leads the jack of clubs? The original declarer won with the ace, drew trumps and cashed the diamond ace. He then crossed to the heart ace and took a diamond finesse. It was a blow when East showed out but declarer attempted to recover the situation. He rose with the diamond king, cashed his last heart and then exited with king and another club. If West had started with a doubleton club, East would have had to win and concede a ruff-and-discard. It was not to be. East played low on the third club, allowing West to win and cash the diamond queen. Do you see how declarer could have given himself a better chance? After cashing the diamond ace, he should have played the top two hearts and exited with ace and another club. If West wins, he will have to lead into the diamond tenace or concede a ruff-and-discard. If East wins, he will have no diamond remaining and will have to concede a ruff-and-discard himself. It is a cost-nothing extra chance.

Some tournament players play that a 2D response is strong (forcing) and 3D is weak. This convention is known as ‘inverted minor-suit raises’. In the absence of such an agreement, you cannot bid 3D because your hand is too strong. There is no real alternative but to invent a bid of 2C. You will then support diamonds on the next round. Not attractive, but there it is!

Awards: 2C-10, 5D-6, 3NT-5, 3D-4.

David Bird — Knight Features

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