“Cy says I’m irritable,” Wendy, my club’s resident feminist, told me.
“I wouldn’t say that,” I hesitated.
“Of course women are irritable,” Wendy grumbled. “Men are irritating.”
“You still struggle on defense,” I sighed.
Wendy and Cy the Cynic are always at odds, even when they are partners in a penny game. In today’s deal, Wendy preempted with three spades as East, and the South’s four hearts faded. Cy led the king and a second spade.
Wendy won and led a frame. South won, led a trump to dummy’s jack, returned to his jack of clubs and continued his trumps. Cy’s ace won the defenders’ final trick.
SACRIFICE
“Thank you, partner,” Wendy said harshly. “Next time, I’ll accept a four-spike solo sacrifice: minus 300 instead of minus 620.”
I’m afraid Cy’s defense was irritating. He must cash his trump ace in the second round, then lead a second spade. Wendy wins and leads a third spade, and whether South cuts high or low, Cy’s trump nine scores.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: SAJ 10 9 8 4 3 H 4 D 6 3 2 C 9 7. Only opponents are vulnerable. You deal and open three spades, the next player announces four hearts, your partner announces four spades and the player to your right announces five hearts. What do you say?
ANSWER: This is not a problem. Don’t even look at your hand. Pass. Your preemptive opening more or less describes your hand – long, strong spades with little defense – and your partner makes the decisions.
West Dealer
BORN. vulnerable
NORTH
LP 7
H.J.
DKJ 9 4
CAKQ8 5 2
WEST
SK 2
HA 9 7 2
D 10 8 5
C 10 6 4 3
EAST
SAJ10 9 8 4 3
H4
D 6 3 2
C97
SOUTH
S 6 5
Hong Kong 10 8 6 5 3
DAQ7
C.J.
West North East South
Succeed 1 C 3 S 4 H
Everyone passes
Opening track — SK
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