January 2024 - 55

Intermediate Players
Chalk Talk
BY EDDIE KANTAR
kantarbridge.com
North (Dummy)
Dlr: South s A J 7 6
Vul: Both h 3 2
IMPs
d A Q 7 6
c K 9 4
South (You)
s K Q 10 9 8 5
h K J
d K
c 6 5 3 2
West North East
Pass 2NT
All Pass
Pass
South
1s
4s
2NT is a game-forcing spade raise
(Jacoby).
West leads the dJ. Plan the play.
This one is a gift. You have 10 sure
tricks. Don't blow it!
Answer
Win the dK (nice play), draw as
many trumps as necessary ending in
dummy, and discard your two hearts
on the dA Q. Then ruff a heart (or a
diamond) back to your hand and lead
IT'S YOUR CALL
continued from page 45
Not one to give up easily, Sanborn
balances with 2NT. " No need to protect
a penalty. I'm hoping partner will
think I have minors. "
Colchamiro: " 2NT, minors obviously.
I don't figure to get rich on defense
at 50 a trick. By the way, I do not
mind at all the 1NT opening. In fact, I
would object to opening 1d. "
2NT by Meyers. " I think 2h is garbage
Stayman or this problem would
not be here. "
Grossack bids a two-way 2NT. " Natural?
Or for the minors? Don't know,
don't care. A thoughtful bid from a
thoughtful guy. I'm not passing. "
Meckstroth says he's going to risk
bidding to fight for the partscore. " 3d.
Defending 2h undoubled doesn't feel
like a good result. Partner's pass isn't
forcing, but if they were bidding weak
Stayman, they were prepared for a 2d
response. "
Boehm jumps onboard: " 3d. Can't
get too aggressive just in case partner
used garbage Stayman. "
Sheriff Cohen cuffs the auction:
" 3d, Law of Total Tricks. " [Wait,
Larry. Who has how many trumps do
you think?]
3d by Donn. " Partner seems to have
a weak version of Stayman. If they just
have both majors, I had better pass.
If they have diamonds as well - such
as a 4=4=4=1 shape - I really want to
bid. Oh well, it's matchpoints, so I will
close my eyes and take a shot. " 2
January 2024 | Bridge Bulletin |
55
s 2
h A Q 9 8
d J 10 9 8 5
c Q 10 8
up to the cK.
If the king loses to the ace, you will
lose three club tricks, but you'll be
able to ruff a fourth club, if necessary,
for your 10th trick. If West has the
cA, you make an overtrick, losing
only two club tricks.
The trap is to discard clubs on
diamonds and then hope you can hold
your club and heart losers to three
tricks.
Here are the East-West hands you
are dreading if you misplayed the
deal:
s A J 7 6
h 3 2
d A Q 7 6
c K 9 4
s 4 3
h 10 7 6 5 4
d 4 3 2
c A J 7
s K Q 10 9 8 5
h K J
d K
c 6 5 3 2
East hands for the
January Bidding Box
Bid these hands with a partner. The West
hands are on page 49. The North-South
players are silent unless otherwise
noted. Scores on page 38-41.
Problem 1. North deals. None vul.
s- hA K 9 7 dK 10 9 7 6 5 cQ 8 7
Problem 2. East deals. N-S vul.
sA 6 h9 dA K 9 5 cQ J 8 6 5 4
Problem 3. South deals. E-W vul.
South opens 1s.
sQ J 7 6 h10 7 dK Q J 7 6 c9 8
Problem 4. West deals. Both vul.
s10 5 4 3 h10 9 8 3 2 dA 4 cQ 6
Problem 5. North deals. N-S vul.
sA 5 hJ dQ 9 7 5 cK Q J 9 8 2
Problem 6. East deals. E-W vul.
sK Q J 9 7 hA J 5 d- cK 8 7 6 4
Problem 7. South deals. Both vul.
sK Q 5 3 h5 2 dJ 2 cQ J 10 4 3
2
Problem 8. West deals. None vul.
North overcalls 3d.
s8 6 hQ J 9 7 5 4 3 2 d6 cK 7
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January 2024

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