I’ve heard it said that listening to a nun confess is like being stoned to death with popcorn. Hearing Cy the Cynic confess is nonexistent: Cy never admits to mistakes.
Cy was today’s East, and West led the jack of clubs against four hearts: three, seven from Cy. Declarer ruffed the next club, led a spade to the king, ruffed the king of clubs, led a spade to the ace and ruffed a spade. South next led a trump, and when the Cynic won, he had to break the diamonds to avoid conceding a ruff-sluff. South played low, and when West took the king, he was end-played.
“You goofed,” West barked.
“A mistake,” Cy said loftily, “is any play I wouldn’t make.”
OVERTAKES
Whether Cy wants to admit it, he erred. He should overtake the first club with the queen, cash his ace of trumps and exit with a spade. South must lead diamonds himself and lose two tricks there to go down.
It’s hard to construct a South hand consistent with the bidding where this defense will cost the contract.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S J 10 8 5 H A D Q 9 8 C A Q 7 5 4. You open one club, your partner bids one spade, you raise to two spades and he tries 2NT. What do you say?
ANSWER: Partner’s 2NT is a try for game; he has 10 or 11 points, balanced. You have a sound raise and can accept his invitation. Since you have four trumps and a shapely hand, bid four spades. True, partner may hold wasted heart honors opposite your bare ace, but you can’t stay out of game.
South dealer
Neither side vulnerable
NORTH
S A K 6
H K J 8 7
D J 5 4
C K 6 3
WEST
S Q 9 7 3
H 3
D K 7 6 2
C J 10 9 8
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EAST
S J 10 8 5
H A
D Q 9 8
C A Q 7 5 4
SOUTH
S 4 2
H Q 10 9 6 5 4 2
D A 10 3
C 2
South West North East
3 H Pass 4 H All Pass
Opening lead — C J