Con-artist Defense

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frs1016@centurylink.net
Tuesday, September 18. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the daywatch out of Bunco. The boss is Capt. Stewart. My partner’s Bill Gannon. He’s a good player. My name’s Friday.
We got a call about a scam 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. Terrible.”
“Just the facts, ma’am.”

Dlr: South ♠ 8 3
Vul: None ♥ A 4 2
♦ A 8 7 4 3
♣ 8 4 3
♠ K 7 ♠ 9 4 2
♥ K Q J 7 6 3 ♥ 10 9 8
♦ Q 9 5 ♦ K J 10 2
♣ 7 2 ♣ Q9 6
♠ A Q J 10 6 5
♥ 5
♦ 6
♣ A K J 10 5
South West North East
1♠ 2♥ Pass Pass
3♣ Pass 3♥ Pass
3♠ Pass 4♦ Pass
6♠ All Pass

Opening lead — ♥K
“I’ll give you the facts. That man sitting West conned my partner out of a cold slam. He led the ♥K, and my partner took the ace and led a trump to her queen — and West played low!”

Second Trump

“Naturally, declarer went back to dummy with the ♦A and led a second trump to her jack. This time West won and led a heart. My partner ruffed and drew trumps, but she couldn’t get back to dummy for a club finesse. Down one.
“The man’s a con artist. Cuff him!”
We arrested West for perpetrating a slam scam. At trial, the judge said he wished he could defend as well.

Daily Question

You hold:
♠ 8 3
♥ A 4 2
♦ 8 7 4 3
♣ 8 4 3
Your partner opens 1♠, you respond 1NT, he bids 2♥ and you return to 2♠. Partner then bids 3♠. What do you say?

ANSWER
This hand is deceptive. You have only eight points, but they consist of aces, including one in partner’s second suit. Your two-spade preference did not promise better support than you have. Bid four spades. Partner may hold ♠A K 10 7 6 5  ♥K Q 10 3  ♦2  ♣K 7.