Hand of the day #281
The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff In action here against France in the McConnell...
The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff
Today's deal shows how you can achieve remarkable results with smoke and mirrors.
Opening Lead: ♣5
Even if North had passed, you might still reach a delicate four spade contract from the South seat. Looking at the East and West cards, you would assume the contract was doomed, but West gives you a respite when he leads a club at trick one. It does not appear at first glance that this will be quite enough of a helping hand.
If you win the trick cheaply and cross to a top heart in dummy, then take the spade finesse. West wins, and knowing you have the missing club and spade honors, he rates to shift to a diamond, doesn’t he? East can help his partner in the decision-making process if his side is playing suit preference in trumps. He would then follow with the spade two on the first round to emphasize diamonds over hearts.
But now see what happens if you take East’s club jack with the ace at trick one, then cross to dummy with a heart for the losing spade finesse. If West can resist underleading the club king for his partner to make the diamond switch, then he is certainly a better man than I. Of course, if the spade finesse succeeds, you still make 10 tricks by pitching a diamond on the hearts.
Incidentally, the same sort of play can arise when you have the A-K-J in the suit they lead. Winning East’s 10 with the king can create the same illusion.
Bid with the aces
Answer: 3♦
With everyone bidding, your partner is probably the player who has stretched to act, but you cannot afford not to invite game here. Cue-bid three diamonds to show a high-card limit raise or better, but don't hang your partner any higher. If he signs off in three hearts, accept his word for it and let him play there.
This Hand of the Day was originally published on aces.bridgeblogging.com.