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The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff

Opening Lead: ♥10

In today's deal the perfect contract at either pairs or teams will protect the diamond tenace and play six no-trump from the North seat. Since this was a little difficult for North to work out at the table, he concluded the auction with a somewhat exuberant jump to six spades, assuming that his partner had a suitable hand to cuebid at his third turn, whereas South simply felt that he held a maximum for what he had shown so far.

East might have considered a Lightner double of six spades (calling for dummy’s first bid suit), but when he did not, West had no reason to find the killing lead. He kicked off with a heart, and East won the heart ace and continued with another heart. How should you play as declarer now?

With 10 tricks on top, there are two chances for an extra two: clubs or diamonds. As usual in this type of position, it is best for declarer to combine his chances, so he should try to test one suit, then fall back on the other. Take the ace and king of spades, then the king and ace of clubs before cashing the third trump to leave yourself an extra entry to hand. If the queen falls, draw the last trump and discard your diamond on the hearts. If it doesn’t, take the diamond finesse and come to hand while drawing the last trump to repeat the diamond finesse.

Bid with the aces

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

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