Bridge: July 8, 2024

“Never underestimate the power of a woman,” Cy the Cynic told me sourly, “to show that it was all your fault.”

“You and Wendy are still having issues on defense,” I sighed.

Cy, a chauvinist, and Wendy, my club’s feminist, are constantly at odds. As today’s West, Cy led a heart against 3NT. Dummy’s jack won, and declarer then led a diamond: seven, jack, ace.

“I figured our only chance lay in spades,” Cy said. “When I shifted to the deuce, dummy played low. Wendy, East, put up the queen, and declarer took the ace and led another diamond. Wendy won and returned a heart — and South claimed 10 tricks.”

ACCUSATION

“Wendy accused me of blowing the defense,” the Cynic said.

When Cy takes the ace of diamonds, he can place South with three hearts, four diamonds (from Wendy’s “count” signal with the seven) and four clubs, so two spades. If Cy shifts to the ten of spades, 3NT fails. Incidentally, South’s play of dummy’s five on the first spade was an insult to Cy’s defense.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S 10 8 4 2 H Q 9 7 6 4 D A C 5 4 3. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart and he bids two clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: It’s conceivable that partner has a hand such as 3,AK5,J9653,AKQ2, and four hearts would be a good contract, but that possibility is remote. Pass. Two clubs isn’t the spot of your dreams, but you can’t justify a further bid, especially not two hearts or 2NT. Partner’s hand may be a minimum.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S J 7 5

H J 3

D Q 9 5 2

C A K J 10

WEST

S 10 8 4 2

H Q 9 7 6 4

D A

C 5 4 3

EAST

S K Q 6 3

H 10 5 2

D K 7 6 4

C 9 6

SOUTH

S A 9

H A K 8

D J 10 8 3

C Q 8 7 2

South West North East
1 C Pass 1 D Pass
1 NT Pass 2 NT Pass
3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — H 6

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