“My wife agrees with me in name only,” a reader writes. “She takes issue with most of my bids and plays, especially when they don’t work well.”

My reader was today’s West.

“I led a heart against four spades,” he says, “and my wife took the ace, huddled and led the ten of diamonds. South played the five. To have a chance, I had to assume that my wife held the ace of clubs. If her ten of diamonds was a singleton, I needed to win and return a diamond for her to ruff; but if her diamonds were 10-x, I needed to duck so I could get the jack and ace later.”

My reader misguessed by ducking. South took dummy’s king, drew trumps, forced out the ace of clubs and had 10 tricks.

“My wife wasn’t happy. She said if I was going to defend like that, I should have bid five hearts.”

I hate to contribute to marital discord, but East was at fault. She must cash the ace of clubs at Trick Two, then lead the ten of diamonds. West will be compelled to find the winning defense.

Daily question >> You hold: ? 4 3 ? A Q 10 9 6 3 ? 10 ? A 7 5 2. Your partner opens one diamond, you bid one heart and he rebids two diamonds. What do you say?

Answer >> Although your partner has shown a minimum opening bid with six or more diamonds, game is possible. Your heart suit will suffice for trumps opposite as little as x-x or a singleton jack in support. Jump to three hearts, invitational. Partner will raise with a hand such as A 8 7, 5 2, A K 8 7 6 3,K 4.

North dealer

Both sides vulnerable

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