Hand of the day #729
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The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff
Opening Lead: ♥J
Today’s deal features several rather subtle points in the play. The auction to three no-trump was straightforward enough, but the final contract was a very unattractive one. The risk of the defenders cashing four hearts and a spade was a high one — and as it turned out, the spade blockage generated other additional problems.
After West led the heart jack East cashed the queen, king and ace, on which West had the opportunity to signal suit preference. By following up the line, with the four then nine, he was strongly suggesting no spade honor. Since East could infer that declarer rated to have his precise distribution, he thoughtfully shifted to a club. When declarer saw what might happen if he played a spade at once (East would win and play a second club to leave the spades blocked), he found an unlikely resource by leading the diamond 10 to his king. Then he played the spade king. East won and continued with his plan by returning a second club. Declarer ran all the clubs, pitching his spade queen, and came down to a three-card ending with the doubleton spade jack and a small diamond in dummy, and the heart eight and the diamond K-9 in hand. East could keep his diamonds but West (forced to keep the doubleton spade 10 and the master heart) had to pitch his last diamond.
Now declarer led out the spade jack to pitch his heart, then finessed the diamond nine for his contract.
Bid with the aces
Answer: Double
It looks best to me to double here rather than overcall in diamonds. That way you get hearts into the picture, and although your diamond suit is respectable, it is not quite good enough for a two-level overcall — especially when you have such a desirable alternative available. If partner picks clubs, let him play there.
This Hand of the Day was originally published on aces.bridgeblogging.com.
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A t/o double having 7 (SEVEN!) HPC outside opponents' suit? Is that a joke or edition error? If not the latter, please continue giving such pieces of advise but solely to my opponents!