“A pinch of probably is worth a pound of perhaps. A smidgen of surety is best.” graffiti

When South jump-shifted to two spades, forcing to game, North’s raise to three left room for slam exploration. If North wanted to play at game, he would have bid it. (Not all partnerships embrace this “principle of fast arrival”.)

South won the trump lead in dummy and led a club: three, king, ace. He won the next trump in his hand, ruffed a club in dummy, led a heart to his ace and ruffed his last low club.

On that trick, West pitched the seven of diamonds. When South tried to return with the king of diamonds to draw trumps, West ruffed for down one.

South was punished for a slighty inferior percentage play but little differences can add up. After South ruffs the first club, he must lead a diamond to his king, using the longer suit for the first re-entry to his hand. He ruffs a second club in dummy and returns to his ace of hearts to draw trumps and take the rest.

Daily question>> You hold: ? A K 10 8 ? A 5 ? K 2 ? K Q J 4 2. Your side is vulnerable. The dealer, at your right, opens three hearts. What do you say?

Answer>> If you double and hear partner respond (“advance”) in spades or clubs, all will be well; you will get to game or slam in a black suit. But if he bids diamonds, you will be stuck with great strength but no good bid. I suspect that most experts would risk a double. Some would try 3NT.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

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