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“The candy bar you planned to eat on the way home from the grocery will always be at the bottom of the bag.” — Murphy’s Law extended
Unlucky Louie blames his bad results on bad luck despite all the evidence. When he played today’s 3NT in a penny game, West led a spade from his worthless hand, trying to hit East’s long suit.
| Dlr: North | ♠ A K 8 | |||||||||||||
| Vul: All | ♥ K J 5 | |||||||||||||
| ♦ J 5 3 | ||||||||||||||
| ♣ A Q J 9 | ||||||||||||||
| ♠ 6 4 | ♠ Q 9 7 5 2 | |||||||||||||
| ♥ 9 7 4 3 | ♥ Q 10 2 | |||||||||||||
| ♦ 8 6 4 2 | ♦ A 9 7 | |||||||||||||
| ♣ 6 5 2 | ♣ K 7 | |||||||||||||
| ♠ J 10 3 | ||||||||||||||
| ♥ A 8 6 | ||||||||||||||
| ♦ K Q 10 | ||||||||||||||
| ♣ 10 8 4 3 | ||||||||||||||
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Opening lead — ♠6
Louie played low from dummy — with more confidence than the situation deserved — and East took the queen and returned a spade. Louie next led a heart to his ace and let the ♣10 ride.
Third Spade
East won and led a third spade. Louie had only seven tricks, and when he led a diamond, East took the ace and two spades. Down one.
“Murphy strikes,” Louie sighed.
Louie should win the first spade, lead a heart to his ace and finesse in clubs. When East wins, he has no good return; a heart or spade will cost a trick. If East exits with a club, Louie forces out the ♦A, winning three clubs and at least six tricks in the other suits.
Daily Question
You hold:
♠ Q 9 7 5 2
♥Q 10 2
♦A 9 7
♣K 7
Your partner opens 1♦, you bid 1♠ and he raises to 2♠. What do you say?
