Bridge Online

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frs1016@centurylink.net
Internet bridge has flourished with the advent of sites such as Bridge Base Online. You can play with people worldwide and watch major tournaments with expert commentary. The ACBL and BBO have teamed up to offer sanctioned duplicate play, letting players compete from home.
When I watched today’s deal on BBO, all four players were experts. South’s opening bid of 1♣ was strong and artificial. North’s 1♦ was negative; his 3♦ was a “transfer.” South might have passed 3NT.

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

Opening lead — ♣10

Spade Finesse

Against 4♥, West led the ♣10: four, king, ace. South led a diamond to dummy’s king and lost a trump finesse. Later he drew trumps and lost a spade finesse, and when diamonds split badly, he lost two tricks there. Down one.
South had winning lines, none clearly indicated. It seems to me he might have taken the♦A K early and lost a diamond, planning to ruff the fourth diamond — with his ace of trumps if necessary. Maybe I’m being “resultish.”

Daily Question

You hold:
♠Q 9 3
♥Q J 10 5 3
♦K 8 5 2
♣4
Your partner opens 1♣, you respond 1♥ and he bids 1♠. What do you say?

ANSWER
You have options, none clearly right or wrong. A rebid of 2♥ might work but would show a six-card suit or a stronger five-carder. A raise to 2♠ might get you to a decent contract but would suggest four-card support. My uneasy choice would be a bid of 1NT, staying low.