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The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff
Opening Lead: ♥9
Today's problem was encountered by a declarer in the American trials for the World Championships in Bali.
Declarer was playing against an expert and aggressive pair. In three no-trump, on the lead of the heart nine, dummy’s jack lost to the king. Back came a second heart, won in dummy, and South then led a club to the king, which held. What next?
Declarer led the diamond nine to the ace, then finessed in diamonds, discovering that his Right-Hand Opponent had started with four diamonds to the Q-10 when his Left-Hand Opponent threw away a spade. What now?
Declarer went after spades, but East won his ace and cleared the hearts, while West still held the club ace as an entry — down one. The defenders were Denny Clerkin (West) and his brother Jerry. The key to the defense was that when declarer led a club to the king at trick three, Denny ducked without a flicker in a successful attempt to preserve his entry.
It is easy to be wise after the event, but it was probably right for declarer to continue playing on clubs at trick five, unless South deemed West incapable of ducking an ace. If West wins the club ace at his second turn and clears hearts, declarer will go after spades. But if East can win the club ace and then clears hearts, declarer should play on diamonds. East probably does not have two aces and a king, or he would have opened the bidding.
Bid with the aces
Answer: Double
The old-fashioned textbooks (which I read, and in some cases wrote!) used to advocate passing over minor-suit openings unless you had perfect shape or extra values. Take that advice with a pinch of salt. Specifically, facing an unpassed partner, there is no great risk in doubling one club when your values are in the side-suits. Switch the hearts and clubs, and I would pass rather than double.
This Hand of the Day was originally published on aces.bridgeblogging.com.
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Is there a place to go to find your if you have any master points in bridge based online?
Hi Bonnie, could you clarify what you mean? Are you referring to BBO Points, ACBL Masterpoints®, or something else?