“I had a tough problem as declarer,” a player told me in the club lounge, “and I wasn’t sure from what angle to approach it.”
“Try the ‘try-angle,'” Cy the Cynic offered. “Better still, try the ‘try, try again’ angle.”
The deal arose in a penny Chicago game, and Cy told me he had been North.
“My partner didn’t try very hard,” Cy grumbled. “He took the ace of hearts and counted eight top tricks: a heart, three spades, two diamonds and two clubs. He cashed his high spades, but West threw a club. South then took the ace of diamonds and finessed with the jack. He went down two when West produced the queen: The defense took four hearts and East’s ten of spades.”
HARDER
South should have tried harder. After the spades fail to break 3-3, South should take the K-A of diamonds. When the queen falls, he is home with an overtrick.
If the queen of diamonds didn’t fall, South would still have a chance. He could try, try again by leading a club to finesse with his jack.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S A 7 6 2 H A 3 D K J 6 4 C K J 3. The dealer, at your right, opens one heart. You double, and your partner cue-bids two hearts. You bid two spades, and he bids three clubs. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your partner’s cue bid showed strong interest in game; his bid of a new suit is forcing. Bid 3NT. If that is your best spot — partner may hold K J 3, 5 2, 7 5, A Q 10 7 4 2 — you must bid it. If his hand is wildly distributional, he can still pursue a suit contract.
South dealer
Both sides vulnerable
NORTH
S K Q 4
H 4 2
D A 7 3 2
C A 6 4 2
WEST
S J 9
H Q J 10 6 5
D Q 8
C Q 10 8 5
EAST
S 10 8 5 3
H K 9 8 7
D 10 9 5
C 9 7
SOUTH
S A 7 6 2
H A 3
D K J 6 4
C K J 3
South West North East
1 NT Pass 3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — H Q
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