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The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff
Opening Lead: ♣9
When the three bears returned from the duplicate club, Goldilocks did not have to ask how things had gone, since Mama Bear immediately thrust the hand records in front of her and asked for sympathy.
In today’s deal she had sat West and had led a spade against two hearts. The defenders took their ruff, but Mama had led back a high spade to the third trick to ask for a diamond. Her partner obliged, but the defenders could now take only one diamond and one heart trick, so the contract came home. Had Mama signaled for a club, the defenders could have avoided any endplay — so long as Mama subsequently hopped up with the heart ace and exited in that suit.
At another table Papa Bear had declared two hearts on a club lead. He won in hand and led a heart; West took her ace, then gave her partner the spade ruff, and East thoughtfully exited with a second club. Now declarer had to lose two diamonds whatever he did.
Goldilocks noted that Baby Bear was waiting impatiently to be asked what he had done on the deal. “I was declaring two hearts on a club lead and cashed both clubs, ending in hand. Then I led a heart up, and West won and played for the spade ruff. The difference was that when East ruffed the third spade, he had no choice but to give me a ruff-sluff with a club, or open up diamonds to my advantage.”
Bid with the aces
Answer: 1NT
Your partner's double is for takeout, suggesting the unbid suit and values. You have a straightforward call of one no-trump, which simply suggests a balanced hand, typically one with a little something in both black suits. Of course, you will not always be dealt a hand with such ideal holdings in spades and clubs.
This Hand of the Day was originally published on aces.bridgeblogging.com.
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