Cy the Cynic says it pays to be honest. It just doesn’t pay enough for some people.

In a penny game at my club, North-South were using “inverted minor” North’s raise to two clubs was strong and forcing. South, who had opened a dead-minimum hand, bid 2NT next, North raised and the result was a silly game.

South’s play was better than the bidding. When West led a diamond, dummy played low, and East put up the queen. South saw that he was unlikely to make the game with honest play. If he took the king and forced out the ace of clubs, the defense would no doubt switch to hearts for at least four more tricks.

So South resorted to dishonesty: He let East’s queen of diamonds win(!), and when East returned a diamond, South followed with the jack. Dummy’s ace won, and South next forced out the ace of clubs.

Maybe East could have figured out what was going on, but he led a third diamond. He must have been stunned when South produced the king and claimed 10 tricks.

Daily question: You hold: ? 9 7 4 ? K Q 5 2 ? Q 9 5 2 ? A 4. The dealer, at your left, opens one club, and two passes follow. What do you say?

Answer: If your partner had nothing, the opponents would have bid a lot more. You may have a makeable partscore or a game (or a plus available on defense if you push the opponents higher). Double. You would’t double a one-club opening at your right, but actions in the “balancing” seat require less strength than usual.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

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