Forcible Entry

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frs1016@centurylink.net
Thursday, January 11. It was cool in Los Angeles. We were working the daywatch out of Burglary. The boss is Captain Stewart. My partner’s Bill Gannon. He’s a good player. My name’s Friday.
We got a call about a case of forcible entry at a club in Ventura. We checked it out. The suspect was still playing. One of his opponents spoke with us.
“It was terrible, officer.”
“Just the facts, ma’am.”

Dlr: South ♠ J 9 5 3
Vul: All ♥ A 8 6
♦ K Q 5
♣ J 10 2
♠ Q 10 6 2 ♠ K 8 7
♥ Q 9 5 ♥ K 10 7 2
♦ 10 7 ♦ J 9 8 4 3
♣ A Q 4 3 ♣ 7
♠ A 4
♥ J 4 3
♦ A 6 2
♣ K 9 8 6 5
South West North East
1♣ Pass 1♠ Pass
1NT Pass 2NT All Pass

Opening lead — ♥5
“I was declarer at 2NT, and West led a heart. I ducked twice, won the third heart and let the ♣J ride. West took the queen.”.

Low Spade

“If he had led a low spade next — to the nine, king and my ace — I would have been safe. I could force out the ♣A, and the defense would have only five tricks.
“But at Trick Five, West forced an entry to his partner’s good heart. He led the ♠Q, and I had to go down. He’s a burglar. Cuff him!”
We took West into custody. He was convicted of forcible entry. The judge said he wished he defended as well.

Daily Question

You hold: ♠K 8 7   ♥K 10 7 2♦J 9 8 4 3    ♣7.
Your partner opens 1♣, and the next player overcalls 1♠. What do you say?

ANSWER
If your partnership doesn’t use negative doubles, discuss them. A double here shows enough values to respond with hearts plus club support or diamonds. Negative doubles let you avoid being shut out of the auction. Some players might pass because opener might rebid in clubs, but that is only one possibility.