Bridge: Sept. 11, 2022

Cy the Cynic entered the club lounge grinning like a butcher’s doggy.

“I ultimately acquired the better of her,” Cy crowed.

“The most up-to-date installment of the Cy-compared to-Minnie saga,” I sighed to Rose.

Minnie Bottoms, our senior member, wears a pair of historic bifocals that make her blend up kings and jacks, often to her opponents’ dismay. Cy has been Minnie’s main target: he’s convinced that she’s an skilled disguised as a minimal aged lady.

“So let’s hear how you vanquished an 82-12 months-previous girl,” I explained.

“I got to six hearts,” Cy explained, exhibiting today’s offer. “With, say, a trump opening direct, I could draw trumps and guide a club. If West took the ace, I would have 12 tricks if West ducked, I could get and ruff a club to fall the ace for the similar end result. A diamond opening guide or a minimal spade would not assistance the defense.

“But Minnie was West,” the Cynic went on. “Her opening direct was the KING of spades.”

“She considered she held J-10-8-3,” Rose laughed. “That guide knocked out your entry to the golf equipment and remaining you hunting at a diamond loser.”

“I was not going to concede,” Cy mentioned grimly. “I took the ace, drew trumps, and cashed the queen of spades and 4 more trumps. With four tricks to go, Minnie had to help save a few diamonds and the ace of golf equipment. So at Trick 10 I led a club, and she had to acquire and guide a diamond from her queen. Making 6. Hooray for me!”

Cy received that struggle. But as to winning the war, I’m betting on Minnie and her eyeglasses.

South vendor

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S A 9 2

H 7 5

D J 8 4

C K Q 10 9 2

WEST

S K 10 8 3

H 8 6 3

D Q 7 6 2

C A 6

EAST

S J 7 6 4

H Q

D 10 9 5

C J 7 5 4 3

SOUTH

S Q 5

H A K J 10 9 4 2

D A K 3

C 8

South West North East
1 H Move 2 C Pass
3 H Pass 3 NT Pass
4 D Go 4 S Pass
6 H All Move
Opening guide — Select it

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