Bridge - August 26

Don't lose your head

to gain a minute.

You need your head;

your brains are in it.

- Burma Shave

One hasty play can throw away a good contract. Today's declarer took dummy's ace of hearts and knew he was safe if trumps broke 3-2 or clubs broke 3-3. South took the A-K of trumps, and when West discarded, South next led the K-A and a third club. If East had four clubs, South could ruff his fourth club in dummy safely.

Alas, East ruffed and led a heart, and West won and led his last club. East ruffed again, and the defense also got a diamond.

FIRST HEART

South would succeed if he took his time and let West win the first heart. (South could also win and return a heart.) South could win the next heart, take two high trumps and then start the clubs as before.

East would be helpless. If he ruffed the third club, South would play low, losing a trump, a diamond and a heart. If instead East discarded, South would take the queen and ruff his last club in dummy.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A K Q 6 3 H 10 7 D A J C K Q 3 2. Your partner opens one heart, and the next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: You have enough strength for slam, but the hand is questionable for a jump-shift to two spades because you need room to look for a trump suit or ascertain that no trump is right. Bid one spade. If partner bids 1NT next, you'll jump to 6NT. If he rebids two hearts, you'll try three clubs, forcing, to learn more about his hand.