Procrastination pays

Procrastination is like a credit card, helpful and pleasant until the end of the month when you get your statement. Still, when you’re declarer, some things are better postponed.

Today’s South jumped boldly to four spades, lusting after the vulnerable game bonus. He won the first club in dummy and led a trump, finessing with the queen.

That play turned out badly: West took his king, and East got a trump trick with the J-10. South avoided a heart loser by finessing with dummy’s queen, but he lost two diamonds. Down one.

South could have executed a safety play in trumps by taking the ace before leading toward his queen. But South didn’t know whether he could afford to play safe. If East had the king of hearts, South needed East to have K-x in trumps.

South should win the first club in his hand and lead a heart to the queen. If the finesse lost, South would later lead a trump to his queen. But when West has the king of hearts, South plays safe in trumps.

Daily question>> You hold: ? 8 7 3 2 ? A Q 6 ? A 7 3 ? K 7 3. Your partner opens 1NT (16 to 18 points). The next player passes. What do you say?

Answer>> This is no time to bid two clubs (Stayman) to look for a 4-4 spade fit, especially at IMP scoring, Chicago or party bridge. Bid 3NT. You have enough high-card strength to be confident that partner will win at least nine tricks at notrump. A spade game might fail due to a terrible trump break or defensive ruffs.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable

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