If you want to gamble, you can play the stock market or go to a casino (which may amount to the same thing except that the stock market doesn’t offer free cocktail service). Finesses are gambles, some riskier than others.

At today’s 3NT, South took dummy’;s queen of hearts and led a club to finesse with his jack. West gathered in his singleton king and led a second heart to South’s king. When South cashed the queen of clubs next, West threw a high diamond.

South then led the ace and a fourth club, losing to East’s ten. East’s heart return revived dummy’;s ace, but South could take only eight tricks by cashing his A-K of spades and fifth club.

South’s club finesse was a gamble, and not such a good one. Since South needs only four club tricks to make 3NT, he should lead to the ace at Trick Two. If East-West followed low, South would lead a second club, succeeding with a normal 3-2 break (and with extra chances). As the cards lie, the correct play saves the day when West’s king falls.

Daily question: You hold: ? A K 7 ? K 3 ? K 10 9 ? A J 6 3 2. You open one club, your partner bids one spade, you jump to 2NT and he tries three hearts. What do you say?

Answer: Support partner’s first suit. A bid of three spades would show a balanced 19 or so points, but your spades might be J-x-x. Since you have slammish values, jump to four spades to show three strong spades. If partner has slam thoughts, you may set his mind at ease about the trump suit.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

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