Bridge: June 14, 2022

“Cy suggests she’s starting to strike terror in his heart,” Rose instructed me in the club lounge.

“He’s getting to be deathly scared of an 82-calendar year-aged girl?”

“He’s afraid to sit down versus her,” Rose mentioned. “She and these spectacles have embarrassed him far too many times.”

Minnie Bottoms, my club’s senior member, wears an historic pair of bifocals that make her mix up kings and jacks, generally to her opponents’ dismay. Cy has been Minnie’s main target.

In the hottest confrontation, Cy performed at today’s 4 hearts, and when West led the queen of spades, the protection took a few spade methods. Minnie, sitting down East, then led a diamond.

Small TRUMP

“Cy received with dummy’s ace,” Rose mentioned, “and led a minimal trump, and Minnie performed the king.”

“Thinking it was the jack,” I smiled.

“Cy fell for it. I would have far too. He took the ace and returned a trump to dummy’s 9, and Minnie’s ten gained the environment trick.”

Possibly Minnie demands some new eyeglasses or she appreciates about textbook falsecards.

Everyday Problem

You maintain: S 9 7 4 H A Q 8 6 5 D K J C A 5 2. Your companion opens a single diamond, you answer just one heart and he bids just one spade. What do you say?

Answer: You have 14 points, balanced pattern and a stopper in the unbid fit. Nonetheless, you shouldn’t bash into 3NT. You could possibly belong at hearts or, if partner’s club keeping is Q-x, he should really be declarer at notrump. Bid two clubs, a forcing “fourth-suit” bid. You will be improved placed soon after you listen to spouse bid when a lot more.

South seller

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S K 6 3

H J 9 3

D A 3

C K Q J 7 4

WEST

S Q J 10

H 7 4 2

D 10 7 5 4

C 9 6 3

EAST

S A 8 5 2

H K 10

D Q 9 8 6 2

C 10 8

SOUTH

S 9 7 4

H A Q 8 6 5

D K J

C A 5 2

South West North East
1 H Pass 2 C Go
2 H Move 4 H All Pass
Opening lead — S Q

©2022 Tribune Information Company, LLC.