Cy the Cynic says that people who don’t plan for the future must live through it anyway.

In today’s deal, North’s second bid was not a strength-showing “reverse.” After South bid two diamonds, two hearts was the cheapest bid North could make, hence it did not promise more than a minimum.

Against 3NT, West led the eight of spades. Dummy played low, and East took the king and returned a spade to the ace. Declarer then let the jack of clubs ride, but when West took the queen, he had no more spades. He led a heart, and South won, lost a club to East’s ace, won the spade return and had three clubs, three hearts, two spades and one diamond.

East’s defense had no future. Since South is sure to have a spade stopper to bid 3NT, East must duck the first spade to keep communication.

If South finesses in clubs next (he has no better play as the cards lie), West wins and leads his last spade. Then East’s spades are good, and his ace of clubs is an entry. Down two.

Daily question: You hold: ? A 10 ? A K 4 3 ? 9 5 ? J 10 9 8 3. You open one club, and your partner responds one spade. What do you say?

Answer: A rebid of two clubs would not be a terrible call but would suggest longer clubs. A bid of two hearts would be a “reverse,” showing a much stronger hand. Bid 1NT, promising (if not quite delivering) a minimum balanced hand. If partner has K7653,QJ52,87,K6, he will bid two hearts next, and you will reach a good heart partial.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable

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