Bridge

By Frank Stewart
Monday, September 8, 2008

My 20th book, "Frank Stewart's World of Bridge," is out. It's a collection of sit-beside-me pieces, reflections on modern bidding, and episodes from my imaginary club including two full-length stories.

In today's deal I'm playing 3NT in a pairs event. West leads the ten of diamonds, and I drop a deceptive queen under East's ace. He returns a diamond, and my nine wins.

Next I lead the queen of hearts. If West plays low, I'll take the ace and try the clubs, but he covers. I run the hearts, come to my king of clubs and take my king of diamonds. On a second club, West plays low.

SPADE HONOR

West had three hearts and two diamonds and, I suspect, one high spade. If I go up with the ace of clubs, I'm giving him a hand such as K J 8 7 5 4, K 9 5, 10 4, 8 3. That's a possible weak two-bid; so I play the jack, and all is well.

For a postpaid copy of "World of Bridge," send $25.95 to PO Box 962, Fayette AL 35555. Tell me how you'd like it signed. Proceeds go to schools and charities here.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S Q 9 6 2 H Q 10 4 D K Q 9 C K 6 4. With neither side vulnerable, you are the dealer. Would you pass or open the bidding?

ANSWER: Though I'm sure many experts would act in deference to the modern tendency to open light hands, to open wouldn't occur to me -- for the obvious reasons. The defensive values are lacking, and the hand suffers from a dearth of winners. Moreover, if you open, you must do so in a non-suit. I'd pass.

West dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S 3

H A J 6 3

D 6 3

C A J 10 7 5 2

WEST

S K 10 8 5 4

H K 9 5

D 10 4

C Q 8 3

EAST

S A J 7

H 8 7 2

D A J 8 7 5 2

C 9

SOUTH

S Q 9 6 2

H Q 10 4

D K Q 9

C K 6 4

West North East South

Pass 1 C 1 D 3 NT(!)

All Pass

Opening lead -- D 10

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