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The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff
Opening Lead: ♦K
Behavior that would be frowned on away from the bridge table is positively encouraged over the green baize. While you should never mislead the opponents by your demeanor or tempo, you should try to make life as hard for your opponents as you can by the cards you play.
Today’s six-heart contract occurred at rubber bridge, North having been rather too pushy in the bidding. When you are in a bad contract, desperate measures are called for; and on this occasion declarer was on the ball. Having sized up the situation quickly, he ducked the opening diamond lead smoothly in both hands, and what is more, carefully contributed the diamond eight from hand, making East’s five look very big to West.
West could hardly be blamed for leading another diamond, thinking he had struck gold, but it was declarer who had come into riches. After the diamond continuation, South could ruff two diamonds in the dummy and throw his two spades away on dummy’s clubs: six hearts bid and made. This line had a far better chance than the legitimate line of playing for the club Q-J to ruff down, with hearts 2-2 and the spade ace onside.
I would be hesitant to cast the first stone at West, but I suppose he might have argued that if his partner had held the diamond ace, he could have overtaken at trick one and returned the suit, just to stop West from going wrong. But how many of us protect our partners in that way?
Bid with the aces
Answer: 4NT
The jump to three spades is not natural, but a splinter, agreeing clubs and showing short spades. With a good hand consisting of diamonds and spades, partner would simply bid two spades and if necessary repeat his suit. So use Blackwood and drive to a small or grand slam in clubs, as appropriate, depending on the response.
This Hand of the Day was originally published on aces.bridgeblogging.com.
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