FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

A MIGHTY SEVEN

The comedian Chico Marx, one of the Marx Brothers, loved to play poker. Once when he was mired in a losing streak, he wrote a letter to the U.S. Playing Card Company: “Gentlemen: Are you still manufacturing aces and kings?”

It’s easy to lose interest when you hold a hand as wretched as today’s East hand. (East’s spots totaled 48, only seven above the minimum.) Against five diamonds, West led the king of clubs and then the ace, and when declarer ruffed, East’s interest level sank to near zero.

South next led the jack of trumps, and West, who was paying attention, grabbed his ace. He then led the jack of clubs.

Overruff

Luckily for the defense, East was not totally oblivious: He ruffed with his seven of trumps. South had to overruff with an honor and, to his annoyance, West’s ten won the setting trick.

In an “uppercut,” a defender ruffs with a middle trump, forcing declarer to overruff to his cost. Don’t give up when you have a bad hand; opportunity may still arise.

Daily Question

You hold: ♠ AK9 ♥ K J 10 ♦ K Q J 6 5 4 ♣ 4. Your partner opens one heart. The next player passes. What do you say?

Answer: An expert partnership might conduct a scientific auction starting with a minimum “space-saving” response of two diamonds. In a casual partnership, save yourself some time and trouble and bid 4NT, Blackwood. If partner has two aces, bid six hearts; at worst he will have to find the queen of trumps. If he has three aces, bid 7NT.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable