“I know you’ve written about ‘saving partner’” a club player told me. “Some of my partners are like old milk cartons: not worth saving.”

My disgruntled friend showed me today’s deal: North-South got to 3NT.

“As West I led a diamond from the only suit I had,” he said. “My partner took the king, pondered and shifted to the four of hearts: three, queen, seven. I returned the six: ten, king, ace. South next led a club to dummy’s ten. Partner won and cashed his ace of diamonds, and South had the rest, making 3NT. What do you think of the defense?”

East showed little concern for partner’s problems. East was right to shift to hearts at Trick Two, but assuming West had a heart honor and won the trick, East wanted him to shift back to diamonds. Then the defense would get three diamonds, a heart and a club.

At Trick Two, East must lead the nine of hearts, denying interest in a heart continuation. South must play low, and when West wins, he will know how to continue.

Daily question >> You hold: ? A K 10 ? 10 7 ? 7 4 ? A Q J 10 9 5. You open one club, your partner bids one heart, you rebid two clubs and he raises to three clubs. What do you say?

Answer >> Partner’s raise invites game, and since you have a maximum for your rebid of two clubs, you must continue the effort to get there. Bid three spades. If partner has 87,AJ53,K1053,K83, he will bid 3NT and make it easily. With 8732,AK53,J5,K83, he will retreat to four clubs.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable

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