“Those glasses got me again,” Cy the Cynic fumed. “One day I’m plucking them off her nose and trashing them.”

Minnie Bottoms, my club’;s senior member, wears old bifocals that make her mix up kings and jacks, often to opponents’s dismay. Cy is Minnie’s chief victim; he had played at today’s 3NT, and West led a heart.

“Dummy played low,&” the Cynic told me, “;and Minnie played the ten!”

“She thought her hearts were J-10-5,” I laughed.

“I took the queen,” Cy went on, “and led a diamond. Minnie took the ace and led the king of hearts, forcing out the ace. I had eight tricks. When I led a club, Minnie won and led her last heart. Down one. If Minnie takes the king of hearts at Trick One, I’m safe.”

“Quite a spectacle,”I sighed.

Minnie had 11 points, dummy had 13 and South had 15 or more. West couldn’t have the queen of hearts but might have the jack. Did Minnie make a “spectacular”play or is she an expert disguised as a little old lady? Cy is starting to wonder.

Daily question: You hold: ? 7 6 3 2 ? K 10 5 ? A 8 7 ? A 7 6. The dealer, at your left, opens one diamond. Your partner doubles, and the next player passes. What do you say?

Answer: You have 11 good points, and partner suggests opening values or more with support for the unbid suits, especially the majors. Jump to two spades to invite game. To jump with four low spades is unpleasant, but what you are really doing is “supporting” a suit partner’s double promised.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable

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