“It used to be that only death and taxes were certain,” Unlucky Louie grumbled. “Now it’s shipping and handling — and bad breaks when I’m declarer.”

At today’s four hearts (not the best spot), Louie won the first club with the king. The contract looked as routine as drawing trumps and claiming — until Louie cashed his king of trumps, and West showed out.

Louie groaned, took his ace of clubs and tried to get by with the ace, king and queen of spades. East ruffed and took his A-Q of diamonds, and West got his king of diamonds later. Down one.

50-50 ODDS

“A 5-0 trump break would happen one time in 25,” Louie said despairingly, “but when I’m declarer, the odds are about 50-50.”

After Louie takes the A-K of clubs, he can cash the A-Q of spades, then lead the queen of clubs. When East follows, Louie discards his king of spades. He ruffs dummy;s last spade with the nine of trumps for his seventh trick and scores his Q-J of trumps and then dummy’s ace to make the game.

Daily question: You hold: ? 9 6 ? 10 8 5 3 2 ? A Q ? 8 7 4 2. The dealer, at your left, opens one club. Your partner doubles, you respond (“advance”) one heart, and he bids one spade. What do you say?

Answer: To double and then bid a suit, partner has a strong hand: at least 17 points. Game is unlikely, and to pass would be reasonable. Since partner may hold a hand such as A K 8 5 2, A J 4, K 7 6 ,6 5, bid two hearts. If he doubled with longer spades, he can go back to two spades.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

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