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Bridge
 What
would you open on those
South cards? There is little to choose between 1D and 2NT. The former
opening might lead to a missed 4H when partner held 3 or 4 points and
length in hearts. The actual choice of 2NT might carry you too high
when partner has a bust. North’s 3D response was a transfer bid,
showing at least five hearts. South would usually respond 3H but with
his excellent heart support he ‘broke the transfer’ and jumped to
4H. How would you play this contract when West leads the king of
spades? The original declarer won with the ace of spades and cashed
the ace and king of trumps. The game could no longer be made! You must
aim to ruff one spade and one club in the South hand, with the nine
and four of trumps. If you play the ace and king of trumps too early,
the defenders will have a chance to draw a third round of trumps when
you duck a spade to prepare for your ruff in that suit. Best play is
to win the spade lead and immediately return a spade. Suppose that
West wins and switches to the jack of clubs. You win with the ace,
draw one round of trumps and then play ace and another diamond. When
you win the defenders’ return, you will draw a second round of
trumps and embark on a cross-ruff. The defenders score a diamond, a
spade and a trump.
Answer
 When
the opponents have bid two suits and you hold the unbid suits, you
have a choice of calls. With something like 16 points and 2-3-4-4
shape you would double for take-out. When instead you are 5-5 or 6-5
in the unbid suits, you paint a different picture with 2NT, the
Unusual Notrump.
Awards: 2NT - 10, dbl -
6, 2C - 5, 3C or 2D - 3.
David Bird
— Knight Features
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