Bridge: July 29, 2024

Monday, July 29. It was hot in Los Angeles. We were working the Daywatch out of Bunco. The boss is Capt. Stewart. My partner’s Bill Gannon. He’s a good player. My name’s Friday.

We got a call about a scam at a North Hollywood club. We checked it out. The suspect was still playing. One of his opponents spoke with us.

“It was terrible, officer.”

“Just the facts, ma’am.”

“That man sitting South swindled us out of a game. My partner led a heart against 3NT, and declarer won in dummy and led … a diamond: four, ten, jack.”

BEST CHANCE

“My partner naturally thought declarer had long, strong diamonds. She shifted to a low spade as the best chance for five tricks. When I won and returned a spade, South had nine tricks. But if partner isn’t deceived and defends passively, South goes down. He’s a con artist. Cuff him!”

We took the suspect into custody. At trial, the judge said he wished he played as well. Indeed, attacking a weak suit can be a good deceptive play by declarer.

DAILY QUESTION

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

ANSWER: Partner has at most 18 points, and for you to pass would be reasonable and would preserve a plus. Still, I would be reluctant to give up on game with three honors in partner’s suits. Bid two diamonds. Partner has at least four diamonds since he neither opened one club nor raised your one heart to two.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S J 6 2

H A K 5

D 8 6 3

C K Q J 7

WEST

S K 9 4

H 10 8 7 6 2

D K J 5

C 8 5

EAST

S A 10 8 5

H 9 4

D Q 9 7 4

C 9 6 2

SOUTH

S Q 7 3

H Q J 3

D A 10 2

C A 10 4 3

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

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