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The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff

Opening Lead: ♥5

I apologize in advance for this personal set of deals, but most of them show my teammates in a good light rather than me.

Here is one example. In this deal I played three no-trump after introducing my clubs as a passed hand. I received the lead of the heart five and decided to rise with the ace in case East won the heart king and shifted to a spade, which I thought could set up too many winners for the defenders.

I cashed the diamond ace at trick two to find exceedingly bad news. Hoping for the best, I ran the club queen, which held, then led out the diamond 10 to West’s queen. Back came a heart to West’s king, and the defenders cleared hearts, leaving me with just eight tricks. Although there was no legitimate play for nine tricks, this looked like a depressing result, but fortunately I had teammates to help me out.

In the other room South opened three clubs and North used Blackwood, driving to slam. East, Arnie Fisher, found a Lightner double for the diamond lead, and South (in need of a swing) redoubled. West, Fred Hamilton obediently led a diamond, and Fisher ruffed and returned a trump. Declarer went up with the ace and cleared the trumps, but still had to lose a trick in the majors for a penalty of 1000 and a gain for our team of 14 IMPs.)

Bid with the aces

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

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