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The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff
Opening Lead: ♠2
The best sort of finesse that declarer can take is one that falls under the heading "Heads I win, Tails I don't lose" because something equally good will come declarer's way in return when the defenders are on play.
In today’s deal from the Dyspeptics Club, when North jumped to five no-trump to offer a choice of slams after transferring to spades, South selected spades of course.
On West’s passive trump lead, South jauntily exclaimed that they might have missed seven. His bonhomie did not continue through the hand. After drawing trump, he cashed the top diamonds without success, then played a club to the king and finessed. On a club return he had no option but to take the losing heart finesse, and so went down.
As South was about to expound on his remarkable bad luck, North cut him short by telling him that he had rejected a near 100 percent line for the hand once trumps split. Can you see it?
After drawing trumps, play the diamond king and queen, then lead a third diamond. When East follows suit, put in the 10, not the ace. If West wins, he will have to open up clubs or hearts and give you your 12th trick. If the finesse wins, you have your choice of finesses for the overtrick. And if West has four diamonds to the jack, simply throw him in with the fourth diamond to develop an extra trick in clubs or hearts for you.
Bid with the aces
Answer: 5♥
Despite your limited high cards, you should bid five hearts. Your partner has shown a singleton or void in spades and a raise to at least four hearts. You have no defense to their suits and a clear double-fit, so bid on (and if they compete to five spades and partner passes, you should think about bidding six hearts).
This Hand of the Day was originally published on aces.bridgeblogging.com.
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