Bookworm Bridge Conundrums #41
This conundrum was written by Barbara Seagram's and was originally published in ...
The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff
Bridge has an internal logic that not everyone embraces and that is not purely a matter of intelligence. After a certain length of time, either you get it or you don’t. On the upcoming deal, West was one of those player who got it.
Opening Lead: ♦K
West’s second double was for takeout, showing extras — usually at least a king more than an opening bid. East properly responded in his four-card major at the two-level rather than the five-card minor at the three-level. West is supposed to have spades when he makes a takeout double of hearts.
Against three hearts, West started smartly with three rounds of diamonds, East ruffing. East exited with the club jack, which went to declarer’s ace. Now comes the crux of the deal: West knows that South is about to draw trump and discard a club on the diamond 10. West also knows that South has the spade ace from the bidding. If East had four spades to the ace along with five clubs, he would have bid two spades over two hearts. So what does it all mean?
It means that if West plays a low club under the ace, declarer will draw trump, discard a club from dummy on the diamond 10, and exit with a club, which West must win. Now West has to lead away from the spade king. Result: misery! However, if West has unblocked his club king under the ace, he can allow East to win the club exit and return a spade. Result: happiness!
Bid with the aces
Answer: 3♠
Despite your weak diamonds, you have real slam interest, so should not sign off in three no-trump. Make a call of three spades — initially, a probe for no-trump. If your partner bids three no-trump, you probably have to pass, but facing any other action, you can cue-bid and hope partner can take control.
This Hand of the Day was originally published on aces.bridgeblogging.com.
J D not 10 D for dummy's club sluff
3 Spades asking p to bid 3 nt if he has 3 carder with picture card.