Bridge

By Frank Stewart
Saturday, December 6, 2008

Hear about the new dance called "the politician?" You take two steps forward, one step back -- and then a sidestep.

Today's declarer nimbly sidestepped a two-trick set. Against 3NT West led a normal deuce of spades, and East played the nine.

Say South wins with the ten, leads a club to dummy and returns the ten of diamonds: six, five, king. West knows a spade continuation is futile, and if declarer has A Q 10 8, K 8, A J 9 5, Q 7 4, the contract is unbeatable. So West shifts to a low heart, and the defenders take five heart tricks.

CAMPAIGN

South actually started his political campaign by winning the first spade with the QUEEN. When he next led a club to dummy and finessed in diamonds, West thought a spade continuation was both safe and desirable. To avoid losing a trick if East had held the 10-9 doubleton, West led the six.

South produced the eight and took three diamonds, three more clubs and the ace of spades for an overtrick. Let's hope he didn't proceed to make a speech.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S K J 6 2 H A 7 3 D K 4 C 8 6 5 3. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one spade and he bids two hearts. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your partner has "reversed" and promises substantial extra strength. He may have a hand such as A Q 3, K J 10 6, A Q J 7 6 5, None, and you may make a grand slam in diamonds; or he may hold Q, K J 10 6, A Q J 7 6 5, A 4, and you should play at game. Since you need to know more about his hand, bid 2NT or three clubs.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S 7 4 3

H 10 6 2

D Q 10 7

C A K 10 2

WEST

S K J 6 2

H A 7 3

D K 4

C 8 6 5 3

EAST

S 9 5

H K J 9 5 4

D 8 6 3 2

C J 9

SOUTH

S A Q 10 8

H Q 8

D A J 9 5

C Q 7 4

South West North East

1 NT Pass 3 NT All Pass

Opening lead -- S 2

2008 Tribune Media Services, Inc.