A person going nowhere is sure to reach his destination. If you play at 3NT, your goal is to win nine tricks. Count your sure winners, then look for a way to assure the extra ones you need. In today’s deal, West led a heart against 3NT, and South won happily with his jack. He cashed his king of diamonds and finessed with dummy’s jack. East took the queen and returned a heart to dummy’s ace.

Declarer then took the ace of diamonds. When West showed out, South couldn’t profit by setting up the fifth diamond; dummy had no more entries. So South tried a club to his ten. West took the queen and led a third heart, and South had only eight tricks. South took his eyes off the goal. He starts with seven top tricks and can get two more with spade intermediates. South leads a spade to West’s king at Trick Two, wins the heart return and leads a spade to the ace. He wins the third heart and takes his nine winners. This play is a lock. South’s actual play was speculative.

Daily question>> You hold: ? A K ? Q 9 7 6 2 ? 8 6 ? Q 9 5 3. The dealer, at your left, opens one club. Your partner doubles, and the player at your right bids one diamond. What do you say?

Answer>> Your partner promises opening values or more with support for the unbid suits. Even though your queen of clubs is likely to be a wasted card for offense, you may have a game. Jump to two hearts, invitational. You would compete with a bid of one heart with A4, Q9762, 86, Q953.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

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