NORTH’s 3D bid was a ‘fit jump’. It showed a raise to the three-level, at least, in spades and a respectable side suit in diamonds. South had little to spare for his overcall but he now knew of the double fit in spades and diamonds. Not only did this enhance his prospects when playing in spades, it also suggested that East-West would fare well if they bought the contract in hearts. How would you play the sapde game when West leads the nine of hearts? It may seem that ten tricks are bound to come declarer’s way. At the table, however, South found a way to go down. He won the heart lead with the ace and ruffed a heart in dummy. He then led the six of trumps to the queen and ace. Seeking a trump promotion, West persisted with a third round of hearts. Declarer took the ruff in his hand and played a second round of trumps to the bare jack in dummy and East’s king. A fourth round of hearts promoted West’s nine of trumps and the game was defeated. The simplest way to make the contract is to lead a trump to dummy’s jack at Trick 2. It doesn’t damage you if the defenders play three rounds of trumps, depriving you of a heart ruff, because you can discard the heart loser on the fifth round of diamonds.
Your partner’s opening bid is the Gambling 3Nt, showing a solid seven-card minor suit but little strength outside.
What will you respond on the West cards?
Answer It is clear that partner’s suit is clubs. You can count seven club tricks and five winners in the major suits, so you should respond 6C, despite holding only one card in the suit. If you bid 6NT instead, partner will play the contract and a diamond lead through your king might prove fatal.
NORTH’s 3D bid was a ‘fit jump’. It showed a raise to the three-level, at least, in spades and a respectable side suit in diamonds. South had little to spare for his overcall but he now knew of the double fit in spades and diamonds. Not only did this enhance his prospects when playing in spades, it also suggested that East-West would fare well if they bought the contract in hearts. How would you play the sapde game when West leads the nine of hearts? It may seem that ten tricks are bound to come declarer’s way. At the table, however, South found a way to go down. He won the heart lead with the ace and ruffed a heart in dummy. He then led the six of trumps to the queen and ace. Seeking a trump promotion, West persisted with a third round of hearts. Declarer took the ruff in his hand and played a second round of trumps to the bare jack in dummy and East’s king. A fourth round of hearts promoted West’s nine of trumps and the game was defeated. The simplest way to make the contract is to lead a trump to dummy’s jack at Trick 2. It doesn’t damage you if the defenders play three rounds of trumps, depriving you of a heart ruff, because you can discard the heart loser on the fifth round of diamonds.
Answer