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Bridge

“Constructive criticism” is like spinach: We may not like it ourselves but are sure it would be good for others.

In today’s deal, West led the six of clubs against 3NT, and East took the ace and returned the queen ... winning. He next led a spade, and South won and started the diamonds. West took his ace and cashed his king of clubs, but South had the rest and made game.

East then criticized his partner’s defense -- constructively, of course.

“You must overtake my queen of clubs with your king and lead the ten to force out declarer’s jack,” East noted. “When you take the ace of diamonds, you cash two more clubs.”

Like most of us, West didn’t take criticism well.

“Baloney,” he snapped. “If I give the man a club trick, it might be his ninth.”

West was wrong and so was his defense. South had denied a four-card major suit in the bidding, so he could have at most three spade tricks, four hearts and one club. West should have found the winning defense.

POSTOPINION

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2021-07-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-07-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://nypost.pressreader.com/article/281973200686114

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