“I’ll never forget the first time I saw a universal remote. I thought, ‘This changes everything.’” — graffiti
At today’s four spades, South finessed with dummy’s queen on the first diamond, and East won and led the jack of clubs: king, ace. West took the queen and led a third club.
South ruffed and needed the rest of the tricks. He went to the ace of diamonds and let the jack of hearts ride, and the finesse won. South continued with the ten … and it won.
OUT OF LUCK
“One-half of all finesses are supposed to win,” South mumbled. “I was out of luck in both minor suits, so finesses in both majors should win.”
So South next led a spade to his jack, and West took the queen. Down one.
South’s percentage play in spades was to finesse, but East’s defense changed everything. If East had Q-x-x in trumps — a finesse would win — East would have covered the ten of hearts, preventing the finesse. South should take the A-K of trumps. The fall of the queen sees him home.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S A K J 9 6 H A K 9 4 D 4 3 C K 9. The dealer, at your right, opens one club. You double, and your partner bids one diamond. What do you say?
ANSWER: You have a fine hand, but your partner may have zilch. He had to respond to your double despite no points and a ragged diamond suit. Bid one spade. When you double before bidding a suit, you promise at least 17 points. If partner has anything, you will hear from him again.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S 8 4 3
H J 10 5
D A Q 7 5
C 7 6 4
WEST
S Q 2
H 8 7
D J 10 9 2
C A Q 8 5 3
EAST
S 10 7 5
H Q 6 3 2
D K 8 6
C J 10 2
SOUTH
S A K J 9 6
H A K 9 4
D 4 3
C K 9
South West North East
1 S Pass 2 S Pass
4 S All Pass
Opening lead — D J
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Author: Frank Stewart