An OKBridge Defense: Answer

	K875 Kx5 Kxx Qxx
AJ Q1072 xxx A10xx

Declarer	Dummy
1	1
1NT	3NT
Pass

T1: 2-5-3-4
T2: x-2-Q-x
T3: 3

What's your plan?

Standard signals. Smith Echo.

A

KJx

J

A

	K875 Kx5 Kxx Qxx
AJ Q1072 xxx A10xx		Q942 xx3 J92 K9x
	10xx AJ4 AQxx Jxx

The most interesting thoughts were that Dan thought that the heart card at T1 wasn't count, but suit preference, and that Bob thought that Smith was partly at fault for the disaster. At the table, I wondered if partner might not want to Smith, but upon reflection, (a) I can't trust what might be a forced card from Jx, (b) partner has no idea how he wants the defense to go, and (c) why should he discourage a club shift anyway; I might have AJ8x. I think (a) suggests that Bob's argument really isn't all that strong. Moreover, partner will almost surely not give accurate count in diamonds here, expecting that information to be much more valuable to declarer than to the defense. As far as Dan's idea goes, it's interesting. I think standard is for the three small to give count. It might be better for it to be suit preference. Maybe. Beats me.

All in all, it looks as if this was just an unlucky hand. It sure felt awful to let a no-play game come home. Particularly by going active vs. a 4333 dummy. Declarer felt good; she started with five tricks and ended up with nine.

Yes, dummy's bidding was madness. Inspired madness this time, I guess.