Bridge: June 8, 2022

When I viewed today’s offer in my club’s penny sport, South was the dreaded Grapefruit. If my husband or wife would make a blunder, I may well raise an eyebrow Grapefruit raises the roof.

Towards 3NT, West led the ten of hearts, and when Grapefruit saw dummy, he was aghast. He took the queen — there went dummy’s only entry to the diamonds — led a spade to his ace and returned a diamond: 10, jack, ace.

East led a second coronary heart, and Grapefruit received and led a diamond to the king. When East discarded, the outcome was down two.

GARGLE

“Partner,” Grapefruit stated, “some people today consume from the fountain of expertise, but you just gargled. Passing 3NT with that hand was idiotic. Even you could have designed 5 diamonds.”

Cy the Cynic experienced been East. “Grapefruit strikes though the irony is incredibly hot,” Cy whispered to me. North’s bid was questionable, but Grapefruit ought to make 3NT. On the first diamond direct, he should really participate in low from dummy. His only prospect is to obtain East with the singleton ace.

Day-to-day Problem

You hold: S 8 7 6 5 H Q D K J 8 6 5 4 2 C 5. Neither aspect susceptible. The vendor, at your proper, passes. What do you say?

Reply: Players who embrace a bold aggressive model would open three diamonds they preempt initially and get worried about it later. This hand has two flaws: four playing cards in spades (so that a preempt may overlook a spade suit) and ragged diamonds. You may forget about 1 flaw but not two, specially in next seat when just one opponent has handed. Move.

South vendor

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S 8 7 6 5

H Q

D K J 8 6 5 4 2

C 5

WEST

S 10 2

H 10 9 8 7 5

D Q 10 9

C K 7 3

EAST

S Q J 9 3

H 6 4 3 2

D A

C Q J 8 2

SOUTH

S A K 4

H A K J

D 7 3

C A 10 9 6 4

South West North East
1 C Go 1 D Move
2 NT Move 3 D Go
3 NT Pass Go(!) Go
Opening lead — H 10

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