frs1016@centurylink.net
Cy the Cynic says you can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all the time — but you can fool yourself anytime.
In today’s deal, West led a low spade against 3NT, and South put up dummy’s queen, winning as East signaled with the eight. South next led the ♥K from dummy, but East ducked.
When declarer continued with the queen, East guessed well to win and return a spade, and West took the king and led a third spade to set up his suit. Then South could only cash his top diamonds and ♣A. He got one more trick, down two.
| Dlr: South | ♠ Q 10 4 | |||||||||||||
| Vul: N-S | ♥ K Q 10 9 8 | |||||||||||||
| ♦ 8 6 5 | ||||||||||||||
| ♣ 7 6 | ||||||||||||||
| ♠ K 9 7 6 2 | ♠ 8 3 | |||||||||||||
| ♥ 4 2 | ♥ A 7 6 3 | |||||||||||||
| ♦ J 3 | ♦ Q 10 9 7 2 | |||||||||||||
| ♣ Q 10 8 5 | ♣ K 4 | |||||||||||||
| ♠ A J 5 | ||||||||||||||
| ♥ J 5 | ||||||||||||||
| ♦ A K 4 | ||||||||||||||
| ♣ A J 9 3 2 | ||||||||||||||
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Opening lead — ♠6
Dummy Entry
South was fooling himself when he won the first spade in dummy. To make 3NT, he needs to make use of dummy’s hearts — and needs an entry to dummy. South must play low from dummy on the first spade and take the ace.
South forces out the ♥A next. If East shifts to a diamond, South can win and lead a spade, forcing an entry to dummy. He is sure of two spades, four hearts, two diamonds and one club.
Daily Question
You hold:
♠ 8 3
♥ A 7 6 3
♦ Q 10 9 7 2
♣ K 4
Your partner opens 1♥, and you bid 3♥ (a “limit raise” to invite game). Partner then bids 4♣. What do you say?