The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff
Opening Lead: ♦Q
Pablo Lambardi had a great declarer-play problem from Gold Coast Swiss Teams in Australia.
Five clubs might look easy to make — any self-respecting West would lead the spade king and give you an easy task. But declarer was faced with the lead of the diamond queen, overtaken by East and ruffed. Lambardi knew spades rated to be 6-0. Since he had four spades to dispose of and no easy place to put them, he took the heart finesse, then cashed the heart ace — one spade down, three to go!
He next played a spade from dummy; East defended strongly by ruffing and returning a trump. Lambardi now had a choice as to how to dispose of one of his two remaining losing spades. If East had started with a doubleton club, the play would be easy. South could win the club ace, then lead a spade to the ace and ruff a spade. But if East had three clubs, he would discard when the second spade was led, then would overruff dummy. Lambardi decided correctly that East rated to be 0-3-7-3. How should he play now?
The answer is simple — when you think of it! Lambardi won the club shift in hand and led a low spade. If West won the trick, he could not prevent declarer from ruffing his remaining spade with the club ace. If East ruffed in, he would have no trump left to lead, so declarer could take his ruff in peace and comfort.
Bid with the aces
Answer: 2NT
Your partner has shown game-forcing values and a spade suit. While your diamond stopper could be better, a simple call of two no-trump is economical, allowing partner to show delayed heart support or introduce a second suit. You can raise spades at your next turn if convenient.
This Hand of the Day was originally published on aces.bridgeblogging.com.
