The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff

What do you think the result of a heart contract for North-South might be on this deal? With trumps 4-0 and a foul spade break, it seems you would be struggling in game however you play it, but appearances are sometimes deceptive.

Opening Lead: ♣3

Both tables in a USA-Netherlands match competed to five hearts, and were doubled. When Bob Hamman and I were defending, Hamman led a club. Declarer took the ace in dummy and played a heart to the king, followed by the diamond ace. I ruffed, cashed my top trumps, and then exited with a spade. Hamman won the ace and thoughtfully continued with a diamond, breaking up any pressure in the endgame and collecting two more spade tricks for a penalty of 800.

By contrast, in the other room our teammate Richard Freeman won the club ace and chose to play a heart to the jack. Such a small difference, but now he could advance the spade king from hand, covered and ruffed, and then lead a second heart from dummy. With the defensive spade communication cut, all East could do was win his ace and play a second spade. Freeman took the queen and played the heart king and another heart; East got his two trump tricks, but had only clubs left to lead. Freeman ruffed and led his last trump, and West was painfully squeezed in spades and diamonds. Whatever he did, declarer had the rest, for plus 850 and 17 IMPs to the USA!

Bid with the aces

This Hand of the Day was originally published on aces.bridgeblogging.com.

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