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SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 2010

BRIDGE

BOTH SIDES VULNERABLE

NORTH (D)

 AQJ4  54  KQ3  AK82

WEST

 1087  J32  J96  J654

EAST

 K9653  K1098  85

 10 7

SOUTH

 2  AQ76  A10742  Q93

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1  1 

6 NT

Pass 1  Opening Lead—  6

A

t Christmas I had the pleasure of playing

at the Birmingham, Ala., Duplicate Bridge Club. The deals were tough, as wit- ness today’s deal. Against 6NT I led a dia-

mond asWest. Declarer could see 11 tricks; the problem was to combine the chances for one more. She ran the diamonds (dummy threw a spade and a heart) and finessed in spades. East won and led a heart. Forced to commit, South

took the ace. She led the nine of clubs to the ace, cashed the two high spades, came to the queen of clubs, led a club at the 12th trick ... and put up the king. Down one. At the end, South’s per-

centage play in clubs was dummy’s eight; the fall of East’s ten made this a “restricted choice” posi- tion. South might also have finessed in spades early. She could win East’s heart return and run the diamonds. Chances would improve since dummy’s low spade would often be a threat. Like all outstanding

clubs, the Birmingham DBC welcomes and nurtures new players. I’m proud to be a member.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold:  2  AQ76  A10742  Q93 You open one diamond,

and your partner bids one spade. What do you say? ANSWER: This problem

is awkward, but only a few players would have sought to avoid it by not opening the bidding. A rebid of two diamonds would suggest a longer suit (or at least a better suit), and a bid of two hearts would show more strength. Bid 1NT. If partner hasAJ543,K9 4 3, 3, 10 4 2, this bid will let you find your 4-4 heart fit.

— Frank Stewart

© 2010, TRIBUNE MEDIA SYNDICATE

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SUDOKU

SHERMAN’SLAGOON

JIM TOOMEY DEAN YOUNG & JOHN MARSHALL SALLYFORTH FRANCESCO MARCIULIANO & CRAIG MACINTOSH

HAGARTHEHORRIBLE

CHRIS BROWNE BALDO HECTOR CANTU & CARLOS CASTELLANOS

RHYMESWITHORANGE

HILARY PRICE MARKTRAIL JACK ELROD

Pass

Pass 3 NT Pass All Pass

FRANKANDERNEST

TOM THAVES GETFUZZY DARBY CONLEY

MUTTS

KLMNO

PATRICK MCDONNELL DILBERT

R

C7

SCOTT ADAMS

REDANDROVER

BRIAN BASSET AGNES

TONY COCHRAN

CLASSICPEANUTS

CHARLES SCHULZ

PICKLES

BRIAN CRANE

LIO

MARK TATULLI MOTHERGOOSE&GRIMM

MIKE PETERS

CURTIS

RAY BILLINGSLEY

BREWSTERROCKIT: SPACE GUY!

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