Cy the Cynic says that the secret to happiness is having a bad memory. Maybe so, but you can’t draw inferences as declarer if you can’t recall an auction from a few minutes past.
Today’s South opened one heart after three passes. When North raised, South tried for game though his hand was full of losers. North had a clear acceptance.
When West led the king of spades, declarer didn’t like his chances. He took the ace and cashed the A-K of trumps, dropping West’s queen. He next exited with a spade, and West took the jack and queen and led the eight.
MISGUESS
South ruffed and led a club. West played low, and South … misguessed, playing dummy’s king. He lost two clubs and went down.
South had heard the auction but must have forgotten it. West, who didn’t open the bidding, had shown the K-Q-J of spades and queen of hearts. The ace of clubs would have given him a hand anyone might have opened. South should have played the jack of clubs, hoping West held the queen.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S A 5 3 H A K 7 5 2 D A J 7 C 5 3. Your partner opens one diamond, you bid one heart and he raises to three hearts. What do you say?
ANSWER: You may have a grand slam. Partner’s hand is worth about 17 points in support of hearts with four-card support, and 2,Q1083,KQ982,AK7 will make seven hearts all but laydown. Cue-bid four diamonds. If partner signs off at four hearts, bid four spades, hoping he will show the ace of clubs.
West dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S 7 6 4 2
H J 8 6 3
D K
C K J 6 2
WEST
S K Q J 8
H Q 9
D 10 9 5 4
C Q 10 4
EAST
S 10 9
H 10 4
D Q 8 6 3 2
C A 9 8 7
SOUTH
S A 5 3
H A K 7 5 2
D A J 7
C 5 3
West North East South
Pass Pass Pass 1 H
Pass 2 H Pass 3 H
Pass 4 H All Pass
Opening lead — S K
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