Bridge: Dec. 24, 2020

In a holiday cartoon, Santa’s sleigh has plowed into the roof of a house, packages are strewn all over, and Santa is upset with Rudolph:

“I warned you about texting while driving. Next year I’m using GPS.”

When you’re behind the wheel, focus on the road. When you’re declarer, focus on the contract — and on what might go wrong. In today’s deal, North-South stopped delicately (and accurately) at five spades. West led the queen of clubs, and declarer won with the ace and led a trump.

When West won and led another club, East ruffed dummy’s king and led a diamond. West won and cashed a club for down two.

FIRST CLUB

South was unfocused. Only a ruff can endanger the contract, so he must win the first club in dummy and pitch his last two clubs on the A-K of hearts. Then he can lead a trump and lose only to West’s ace.

Unlucky Louie, Cy the Cynic, Wendy, Minnie Bottoms and all the members of my club join me in wishing for my readers a holiday season of peace and joy.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A H J 4 2 D A 9 8 C Q J 10 9 8 7. You open one club, your partner bids one diamond, you rebid two clubs and he tries two hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner’s bid of two hearts — a “reverse” by responder — is game-forcing. Your two clubs suggested a six-card or longer suit. Bid three diamonds. “Support with support” is a sound tenet. Tell partner you have support for his first suit.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S Q 6 4

H A K 5 3

D Q 10 4

C K 6 5

WEST

S A

H J 4 2

D A 9 8

C Q J 10 9 8 7

EAST

S 9 8 2

H Q 10 9 8 7 6

D 7 5 2

C 2

SOUTH

S K J 10 7 5 3

H None

D K J 6 3

C A 4 3

South West North East
1 S 2C 3 NT Pass
4 C Pass 4 H Pass
4 S Pass 5 C Pass
5 S All Pass

Opening lead — C Q

(C)2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.