Bridge: June 1, 2024

On “Simple Saturday” I focus on basic technique and logical thinking.

A reader wrote to ask my opinion: What is the single most common and damaging error that players make? I replied that hasty play to the first trick — plunging ahead without a plan — sinks many contracts.

Today’s West led the six of spades against 3NT, East played the jack and South took the queen — and then started to think. He knew he couldn’t let East get in for a spade return, so instead of finessing in diamonds — the percentage play to pick up the suit — South took the A-K. He needed only four diamond tricks, not all five, to make game.

DOWN ONE

Alas, East won the next diamond and returned a spade. West took four spades for down one.

South thought too late. Since East may have a diamond entry, South must let his jack win the first spade. If East returns a spade to the king and ace, West’s long spades are out of the game. If East shifts to hearts at Trick Two, South can still prevail.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S K Q 5 H A 8 7 D J 10 5 C A 8 4 3. You open one club, your partner responds one spade. you bid 1NT and he jumps to three hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: You need to show a preference for partner’s first suit — what he wants to hear — especially since you have no sure stopper in diamonds for notrump. The correct call is four spades to suggest strong spades. You would bid three spades with a hand such as J42,A87,J105,AQJ3.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S 7 4 3

H K 9

D A K 9 8 4

C K 9 2

WEST

S A 10 8 6 2

H J 4 3

D 6 2

C Q J 7

EAST

S J 9

H Q 10 6 5 2

D Q 7 3

C 10 6 5

SOUTH

S K Q 5

H A 8 7

D J 10 5

C A 8 4 3

North East South West
1 D Pass 2 NT Pass
3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — S 6

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