BRIDGE

SCISSORS CUT PAPER

Everybody has played the game of “rock, paper, scissors.” If today’s declarer hadn’t known about using scissors, he would have endured a rocky time — and the deal wouldn’t be in the paper.

When South overcalled one spade, North’s cue bid of three hearts promised a good hand and spade support. South liked his shape enough to jump to game.

When West led the king of hearts, East promptly overtook with the ace to shift to his singleton club. His plot was clear to declarer: East planned to take the ace of trumps, lead a heart to West’s queen and ruff a club return; South would lose two hearts and two trumps.

Last Heart

Fortunately, South had a counterplay. He led a diamond to dummy’s ace at Trick Two and returned the queen. When East covered, South discarded his last heart. West couldn’t gain the lead, and East’s ace of trumps won the defenders’ last trick.

South’s play is called a “scissors coup.” By trading one loser for another, South cuts the defenders’ communication.

Daily Question

You hold: ♠ 10 9 2 ♥ 9 7 6 ♦ A Q 5 2♣ A J 8. Your partner opens one club, you respond one diamond and he bids one spade. What do you say?

Answer:

No answer is ideal; the problem might split a panel of experts into several contingents. There would be votes for a conservative return to two clubs, an invitational jump to three clubs, a bid of 1NT and a “fourth suit” two hearts. I would try two clubs, but I wouldn’t be proud of it.

East dealer Both sides vulnerable