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One of Unlucky Louie’s daughters is studying to be a cosmetologist.
“She told me she overslept and missed the final in one course,” Louie told me.
“So she failed the course?”
“No,” Louie said solemnly. “They let her take a make-up exam.”
As declarer, you get just one chance. Against today’s five diamonds, West led the ace and a second club. South won, throwing a heart from dummy, and drew trumps. He threw another heart from dummy on his third high club and led a heart. West won and exited with a heart, and South lost a spade to West’s king later. Down one.
SECOND TRICK
South blew his chance at Trick Two; he must discard a spade from dummy. He draws trumps and leads the three of hearts. West must play low; if he grabs his ace, dummy’s king will furnish a spade discard.
When the king wins, South leads a trump to his hand, pitches a heart from dummy on his third high club and exits with the queen of hearts. West must lead a spade from his king or yield a ruff-sluff.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S A Q H Q 3 D A J 10 9 8 2 C K Q J. You open one diamond, and your partner bids one spade. The opponents pass. What do you say?
ANSWER: This situation is awkward. Now that partner has responded to your opening bid, game is almost certain. A jump to three diamonds would be an underbid. Some experts would bid 2NT, but that call would suggest a sure trick in hearts. I would try an improvised jump-shift to three clubs.
West dealer
Both sides vulnerable
NORTH
S 9 8 5 4 2
H K 8 4
D K Q 6 4
C 9
WEST
S K J 10
H A J 10 9 7
D 7
C A 6 5 3
EAST
S 7 6 3
H 6 5 2
D 5 3
C 10 8 7 4 2
SOUTH
S A Q
H Q 3
D A J 10 9 8 2
C K Q J
West North East South
1 H Pass Pass Dbl
Pass 1 S Pass 2 D
Pass 4 D Pass 5 D
All Pass
Opening lead — C A
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