The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff
Opening Lead: ♣6
Today's deal comes from the annual match between the Houses of Commons and Lords. Crockford's Club hosted the event, which was won by the Lords, by the tiny margin of 110 aggregate points, a form of rubber bridge scoring being utilized. Their overall lead in the series is currently 21-17.
In this deal the focus is on the defense, so cover up the East and South hands to see if you can do better than our West. Against three no-trump (reached after a weak no-trump from South) West led the club six to East’s ace and that player continued with the queen. When this held the trick, he shifted to a heart. Declarer won, knocked out the diamond ace, then claimed his game.
Can you see how the defense could have done better? Clearly West hoped that East held a third club, but he should have realized that it was not necessary for him to do so. A close inspection of the spot cards should have led to the correct defense of overtaking East’s club queen with the king and returning the seven to knock out South’s stopper in the suit while West still held the diamond ace.
This risked giving up an undertrick unnecessarily when East had started with three clubs, but guaranteed the defeat of the contract. After South’s Stayman response, he could surely take no more than three heart tricks, four spades, and the club winner.
Lead with the aces
Answer: ♥3
I can see the case for a club lead; but though declarer has not specifically promised four clubs, he strongly rates to have length there. As against that, partner rates to have heart length, while dummy may or may not have four hearts. All things considered, I'd go for the small-heart lead.
This Hand of the Day was originally published on aces.bridgeblogging.com.
