“Who put a stop-payment on my reality check?” — graffiti

Finesses are apt to lose as much as they win, but some declarers are reluctant to accept that reality.

At today’s 3NT, South took dummy’s ace of hearts and led the nine of diamonds for a finesse. Reality set in when West took the king and led another heart. South then had only eight tricks — four diamonds, two hearts and two spades — and when he led a club, West won and cashed three hearts. Down one.

South could have done better. At Trick Two he leads a club from dummy. If East had, say, A-8-3 and rose with the ace, South would have four club tricks, two hearts, two spades and a diamond. If instead East played low, South would win and shift to diamonds for at least nine tricks.

As the cards lie, West captures declarer’s queen and leads another heart, and South wins and takes the king of clubs. When East’s jack falls, South is home. If East-West played low clubs, South would finesse in diamonds.

Daily question: You hold: ? Q 6 ? 10 9 7 6 3 ? K 5 4 ? A 9 3. Your partner opens one spade, you respond 1NT and he bids two hearts. The opponents pass. What do you say?

Answer: Though you have only nine high-card points, and partner's hand may be a minimum, there is too much potential to hang below game. Bid four hearts. Give partner a hand such as A K 7 5 3, A K 4 2, 7 6, 8 7, and on a lucky day, with a friendly lie of the cards, he will win 12 tricks at hearts.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

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