“If at first you do succeed, try to hide your astonishment.” — graffiti.

Suppose you’re kibitzing today’s deal in a Chicago game, and North-South have a routine auction to 3NT. West leads the jack of diamonds, and declarer wins with the ace, leads a spade to dummy and returns a club to finesse with the queen. He next leads the ace and a third club. When East-West follow, South makes an overtrick with three clubs, three diamonds, two hearts and two spades.

“I was due for some good luck,” declarer says. He then turns to you and asks what you think of his play. What do you say?

Say “Angels could have done no more.” But if West’s clubs had been K-9, South would have gone down. South needs two club tricks to make game. He should lead a low club from his hand at Trick Two.

South wins the diamond return and takes the ace of clubs. If East-West play low, South goes to dummy to lead a third club toward his queen. He gives himself every chance for a ninth trick.

Daily question >> You hold: ? K 6 2 ? A 8 5 ? A Q 3 ? A Q 7 4. You open one club, your partner responds one spade, you jump to 2NT and he next bids three hearts. What do you say?

Answer >> Partner has at least four hearts, but since he bid spades first, his spades are probably longer. Bid three spades. It is correct to show your three-card support for his first suit, which is what he may want to hear. If you bid 3NT instead, you will tell the same story twice.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

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