The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff
Opening Lead: ♥Q
Both sides' double-fit will encourage plenty of overbidding. But at this vulnerability East-West rate not to go beyond the five-level, while North has rather too many losers to risk Blackwood at his second turn. Mind you, six spades depends only on a successful club finesse, and if North bids on to five spades over five hearts, South might well raise to six.
The next question is what West should lead at trick one. A case could be made for a diamond; however, most Wests will lead a heart — but which? I like the idea of advancing the queen, retaining the lead while you plan what to do when the dummy comes down. Of course, things do not work out as planned, and it is East who has to lead to the second trick.
East will know that two more tricks are needed to defeat the contract. Since the club suit will yield one trick at most and West’s lead surely denies a club void, a trick will have to come from the trump or diamond suit. To set up his side’s potential diamond trick, East must play his partner for the diamond king and shift to that suit. If you found the answer, well done!
But that is not the full story. To avoid being thrown-in with the second diamond after the major suits have been eliminated, East must switch to the diamond queen at trick two, or he will be fatally endplayed with a diamond at the end of trick five.
Bid with the aces
Answer: 2♦
Opinions will be sharply divided here on whether you should sit for a double of one spade if your partner makes that call. I say no; and if you agree, you are better off bidding two diamonds right now — suggesting a minimum shapely hand. If you pass and pull the double on the next round, that would show a better hand in high-card terms.
This Hand of the Day was originally published on aces.bridgeblogging.com.
