The Trojan War having dragged on for 10 years, with neither side prevailing, the weary warriors agreed to settle matters at the bridge table.

In today’s deal, Odysseus and Ajax, East-West for the Greeks, bid to four spades. That contract would have failed by only one trick, so Aeneas and Hector, North-South for Troy, pushed on to five hearts, hoping to score game.

Ajax led a club, and the wily Odysseus took the K-A and next led ... a spade.

Hector took the ace and huddled. Why had East given him an entry to his hand? East could have exited with a diamond, placing the lead in dummy so declarer couldn’t finesse in trumps.

“I fear Greeks even when they bear gifts,” Hector muttered, and he led a trump straight to dummy’s ace. The king fell, and he was home.

Odysseus had some comments about West’s remarkable bid of two spades.

“I know you’d rather I wouldn’t horse around like that,” Ajax sighed.

“Did you say ‘wooden horse,’ partner?’ Odysseus asked.

Daily question: You hold: ? K 8 4 3 ? K ? 10 6 ? A K 9 8 5 3. You open one club, your partner responds one heart, you bid one spade and he jumps to 2NT. What do you say?

Answer: Partner’s 2NT is invitational, not forcing. With the values for game, he would have bid 3NT or found some forcing bid. You might like to bid three clubs to sign off, but few partnerships will have discussed whether that bid would be forcing or not. Bid 3NT and hope to make it.

North dealer

Both sides vulnerable

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