Best-Laid Plans

Dealer: North
Both sides vulnerable

North

7 4

A K J 7 3

K J 10 5 4

West

K Q J 5

Q 9 8 5 2

8 7 3 2

East

K 10 3 2

10 8 7 4 2

10 6 4

South

A Q J 9 8 6 5

A 9 3

A Q 6

North	East	South	West
1�	Pass	1�	Pass
2�	Pass	2�	Pass
3�	Pass	3�	Pass
4�	Pass	6�	All Pass

Opening Lead:� K

Another sign standing guard beside a church in my town:”If you want to make God laugh, just tell him your plans.”

Whatever can go wrong, will — especially at the bridge table. You can’t be too careful as declarer. At today’s slam, South took the ace of hearts, ruffed a heart in dummy and discarded his last heart on a high diamond. He next led a trump for a finesse with his queen. Alas, West discarded, and South wound up losing two trump tricks to East for down one.

SECOND TRICK
South thought the contract looked easy — which meant it required all the more care. At the second trick, South should cash the ace of trumps. If both defenders follow low, South can ruff a heart in dummy, discard a heart on a high diamond, ruff a diamond and lead the queen of trumps, easily taking the rest.When West discards on the ace of trumps, declarer can lead a club to dummy, discard two hearts on the A-K of diamonds and lead a trump. Again, he will take 12 tricks without difficulty.

DAILY QUESTION�

You hold:
A Q J 9 8 6 5
A 9 3
None
A Q 6
. The dealer, at your right, opens one diamond. You double, accepting the risk that your partner may pass for penalty, and he bids one heart. What do you say?

ANSWER�
You must take strong action; game is probable. A bid of one spade would suggest a hand worth 17 or more points, a jump to two spades would show more. Cue-bid two diamonds or, if you want to gamble a bit, bid four spades.