DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

Since some lawyers get disbarred, I’ve always wondered whether models are deposed. Do mediums quit when they’re dispirited? Do cooks get fired because they’re deranged? Has a weatherman ever left his job because the climate didn’t agree with him?

A defender has one job: to beat the contract. It’s not his place to point out that his opponents had a better contract.

Today’s East took the king of clubs and returned a club. South won, forced out the ace of diamonds, and had three hearts, three diamonds, two clubs and a spade.

North-South were like out-of-work electricians: delighted. But West felt like a retired harpist: unstrung.

“You could beat it,” he told East.

“So what?” East shrugged. “They’d make a slam at diamonds.”

Even if North-South reach six diamonds (unlikely), South must play well after a club lead: ace of clubs, ace of spades, spade ruff, queen of hearts, spade ruff, A-K of hearts to pitch dummy’s last two clubs, club ruff, spade ruff, club ruff. South then leads dummy’s last spade, with one trump left in his hand and two in dummy, and is sure of two more tricks.

It’s a lot more certain East should beat 3NT. South’s bidding suggests nine red cards, and West’s opening lead suggests four clubs, leaving South with three; hence a singleton spade. If East shifts to the king of spades at Trick Two (in case South’s singleton is the queen), South has as much chance as a glassblower with the hiccups.

South dealer

Both sides vulnerable

NORTH A 7 5 3 2 (Heart) Q * Q 10 9 4 A 9 3 WEST EAST 10 6 4 K J 9 8 (Heart) J 10 7 4 (Heart) 9 8 3 7 2 A 6 5 10 6 5 2 K 7 4 SOUTH

Q (Heart) A K 6 5 2 * K J 8 3 Q J 8  SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1 (Heart) Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass 3 Pass 3 NT All Pass *

Opening lead-- 2 *

2001, Tribune Media Services