Bridge

By Frank Stewart
Tuesday, March 11, 2008

For some people, experience is like the stern light of a ship that illuminates only the track it has passed. To win at bridge, you must learn from your experiences -- good and bad.

Today's declarer was happy to accept the free finesse at the first trick. He captured East's jack of spades with the queen and led a heart. West took the ace and led the king of spades, and South won and led another heart. He was annoyed when West won and cashed three spades.

Was South unlucky or did he have something to learn?

South has plenty of winners once he forces out the A-K of hearts. He is in danger only if West has five spades plus both top hearts. South must therefore let East win the first spade. When East must shift, South has time to force out the top hearts for an overtrick.

If East had a second spade to return, South would take the ace and start the hearts, losing no more than two spades and two hearts.

Let's hope it was an illuminating experience for South.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S K 10 8 7 6 H A K D 7 3 2 C J 4 3. Your partner opens one heart, you bid one spade and he rebids two hearts. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: You have enough values to bid again and invite game. Since your pattern is balanced, you might risk 2NT despite having one unstopped suit, but here you have two, and you have a sound alternative: Raise to three hearts. Partner's rebid of two hearts promises a six-card or longer suit.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S 9 4 3

H Q J 9 8 5

D A 5

C A Q 8

WEST

S K 10 8 7 6

H A K

D 7 3 2

C J 4 3

EAST

S J

H 6 3 2

D J 10 9 6 4

C 9 7 6 2

SOUTH

S A Q 5 2

H 10 7 4

D K Q 8

C K 10 5

North East South West

1 H Pass 2 NT Pass

3 NT All Pass

Opening lead -- S 7

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