Bridge: July 19, 2024

This week’s deals have treated the defenders’ second hand play. “Second hand low” is a guideline, but exceptions exist.

Cover the West/South cards and defend as East. Against four hearts, West leads the king of diamonds. Dummy plays low, and you signal with a discouraging deuce. West duly shifts — to a trump. Declarer wins with dummy’s ten and leads the deuce of clubs. Your move.

This problem is easier on paper than at the table: You must put up the king. If South has the A-Q, your king is trapped anyway, but you must try to win so you can return a diamond and hope to set up a second diamond trick for partner.

FIRST CLUB

Correct defense prevails; the defense gets two tricks in each minor suit. But if East plays low on the first club, South will play the ten, losing to the ace.

West can only return a club to East’s king, but then South can win the diamond return, draw trumps, discard dummy’s last diamond on his queen of clubs, finesse in spades and make his game.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A J 4 2 H Q 10 7 3 D A 5 4 C 8 2. The dealer, at your right, opens one diamond. After two passes, your partner doubles. The opening bidder passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner may have stretched to act in the “balancing” seat to prevent the opponents from buying the contract cheaply. His values may be shaded. Still, he could have enough for game. Cue-bid two diamonds. If he bids a major next, you will raise to three to invite.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S A J 4 2

H Q 10 7 3

D A 5 4

C 8 2

WEST

S K 10 9 7

H 6

D K Q 10 7

C A 9 7 3

EAST

S 8 6 5

H 8 5 2

D 9 6 2

C K J 6 5

SOUTH

S Q 3

H A K J 9 4

D J 8 3

C Q 10 4

South West North East
1 H Dbl Redbl Pass
Pass 1 S 3 H Pass
4 H All Pass
Opening lead — D K

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