More From Birmingham

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frs1016@centurylink.net
Here’s another deal from my monthly game in Birmingham, Alabama, with old friends and teammates. Our deals always have points of interest.
When North doubled West’s opening bid of 1♥, South’s 3♣ invited game. North’s 3♦ was forcing. South’s next bid promised only three spades; with four, he would have bid spades earlier. North raised to 4♠ when he might have cue-bid 4♥. All passed, East quite happily with his six trumps.

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

Opening lead — ♣K

Discard

South took the ♣A and led a diamond to dummy and a trump to his ace. West’s discard was a shock, but South continued with a diamond to dummy and a third diamond. East ruffed with the seven, and South overruffed, took the ♥Q A, and led a fourth diamond from dummy.
East ruffed in and led a club, but South ruffed in dummy for his eighth trick. When dummy led still another diamond, East could win only one more trick. Making five!
The last laugh was on North-South. They could make six diamonds.

Daily Question

You hold:
♠K J 6 2
♥A Q
♦A K 7 6 4 2
♣3
You open 1♦, your partner responds 1♥, you bid 1♠ and he tries 1NT. What do you say?

ANSWER
Chances for game are bright, but the play at 3NT may be taxing, especially if partner’s clubs are weakish or if he has no help for your diamonds. Jump to 3♦, encouraging but not forcing. If partner passes, be satisfied to try for a plus score right there.