“Accidents will happen,” Captain Hook said offhandly. — graffiti.
I don’t know whether Captain Hook ever visited a second-hand store, but knowledgeable second-hand play is a key aspect of defense. “Second hand low” is a guideline, not a rule.
Today’s West led a heart, the suit East had bid, against 3NT. South won with the ace, led a diamond to dummy and returned the deuce of spades … and East followed with the nine, paying homage to second hand low.
When South’s king won, he forced out the ace of clubs. He won East’s heart return and had nine tricks: a spade, two hearts, four diamonds and two clubs.
MAXIM
East picked the wrong time to apply a maxim. He must not let South steal a spade trick, then set up tricks elsewhere. If East rises with the ace on the first spade and leads a second heart, South has only eight tricks and must let East get back in with the ace of clubs to cash two more hearts for down one.
If East’s spades were A-9-x, 3NT would be unbeatable.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S Q 5 3 2 H 7 3 D K Q 8 3 C K J 9. The dealer, at your left, opens one heart. Your partner overcalls 1NT, and the next player passes. North in today’s deal then bid two hearts with this hand. Do you approve of that call?
ANSWER: North’s cue bid of two hearts was fine. It substituted for Stayman. North might have wanted to bid two clubs to play there, but he would never want to bid two hearts, the opening bidder’s suit, to play.
East dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S Q 5 3 2
H 7 3
D K Q 8 3
C K J 9
WEST
S J 10 8 6
H 8 5 2
D 10 6
C 8 6 4 2
EAST
S A 9
H Q J 10 9 4
D 9 5 4
C A 7 3
SOUTH
S K 7 4
H A K 6
D A J 7 2
C Q 10 5
East South West North
1 H 1 NT Pass 2 H
Pass 2 NT Pass 3 NT
All Pass
Opening lead — H 2
©2023 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
#Oct #Mercury #News
