In March, the American Contract Bridge League...

In March, the American Contract Bridge League staged its Spring Championships in Kansas City. This was one of three 10-day tournaments the league hosts yearly, and novices and experts came seeking titles and master points.

In the Silver Ribbon Pairs, an event for seniors, winner Fred Hamilton put an ace to sleep. East-West judged well, in theory, to sell to Hamilton’s three diamonds: Three spades would have failed, and three diamonds seemed doomed.

After Hamilton ruffed the second spade, he took the A-K of trumps and led the Q-J of hearts. West played low to deny declarer the use of dummy’s fourth heart.

Low Club

Hamilton next led a low club, and when West forgot to insert the eight, he played dummy’s seven, losing to East’s 10. South ruffed the spade return and led the ace and a low club.

East had to win and lead another spade, and Hamilton got rid of the 10 of hearts as dummy ruffed, losing a trump, a spade and two clubs. The ace of hearts was heard snoring.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

Q 10 7

(Heart) K 9 8 7

* 7 6 5

Q 7 4

*--*

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

*--*

SOUTH

3

(Heart) Q J 10

* A K J 3 2

A 9 6 2

*--*

 NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST  Pass 1 Dbl 2 Pass Pass 3 All Pass

*--*

Opening lead-- 9

Question of the Day

You hold: 3 (Heart) Q J 10 * A K J 3 2 A 9 6 2. You open one diamond, your partner responds one heart, you bid two clubs and he tries 2NT. The opponents pass. What do you say?

Answer: Bid three hearts to offer partner a choice of games. This bid is forcing: If it were not, you might land at a weak 4-3 trump “fit.” If partner has a hand such as Q64,K9874,Q6,KJ3, he’ll bid four hearts; with QJ94,K874,Q4,K83, he’ll try 3NT.

2001, Tribune Media Services