“Your honor,” the district attorney announced, “we will prove that South committed a felony in this deal. He lost a cold game.”

“State your case,” the judge instructed.

“Against four spades,” the DA related, “West led two high hearts. South ruffed and took the K-A of trumps. He then tried the three top clubs, hoping to pitch his diamond loser on the fourth club, but when West discarded, declarer lost a diamond, two trumps and a heart.”

“You can’t convict my client,” South’s counsel roared. “He had four unavoidable losers.”

“Guilty as charged,” the judge ruled. “After declarer ruffs the second heart, he cashes the A-K of trumps, then ruffs a heart, takes the top clubs and ruffs dummy’s last club. He goes to the ace of diamonds his ninth trick and leads the last heart. He scores another trump trick no matter what East does.”

“Moreover,” the judge went on, “West is guilty of misdefense. If he leads a club or a high diamond at Trick Two, South must fail.”

Daily question >> You hold: ? K 5 ? 9 7 4 2 ? A 6 3 ? Q 7 6 3. Your partner opens one heart, you raise to two hearts and he next bids three spades. What do you say?

Answer >> This is an unfamiliar auction, but assuming no special agreements, I would treat partner’s three spades as natural: He has a strong two-suited hand with slam interest. Since you have four trumps, a useful king of spades and a side ace, you should cooperate. Cue-bid four diamonds.

South dealer

Both sides vulnerable

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