Hand of the day #729
You can now play the hand of the day on BBO+ and compare how you get on with the...
You can now play the hand of the day on BBO+ and compare how you get on with the players in the article.
The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff
Opening Lead: ♣9
One of aspect of constructive bidding that frequently challenges beginners is the idea that when you have shown extra shape in the auction, you are then not obligated to continue showing the same feature of your hand. Instead, as in today's deal, once you have shown spades and diamonds, as South, and partner has suggested heart length and strength, why not try no-trump?
As you can see, trying for nine tricks in no-trump might have been the easiest way to bring home a game today, but South elected to rebid diamonds at his third turn, and soon found himself in the perfectly reasonable contract of five diamonds — doubled by East on general suspicion rather than anything else. Against the suit game West kicked off with the club nine. East took the ace and returned the suit, South’s queen winning. The main danger to the contract now was the threat of a club ruff.
To sidestep the danger, declarer cashed the spade ace and ruffed a spade. The fall of East’s jack simplified the play. Declarer threw the club king on the heart ace, then played the diamond king. East took his ace and played a club. However, South simply ruffed high, drew trump, and claimed.
Even if the spade jack had not fallen, declarer would have been decently placed by relying on a 4-3 spade break.
Lead with the aces
Answer: ♠ Lead
This is a close decision. Should you lead the club queen, playing for ruffs or to set up partner's suit, or a relatively passive spade, looking not to give anything away? With a seven-count, you know your side has half the deck, which argues for going passive. You can always be a hero tomorrow.
This Hand of the Day was originally published on aces.bridgeblogging.com.
You can now play the hand of the day on BBO+ and compare how you get on with the players in the article.
