The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff

Over the last two decades Junior World Championships have grown from a modest six-team affair to separate events for under-26 players, under-21 players, and even school events.

When Israel played Canada in the round robin of the World Junior Teams in 1999, the Israelis put together a set of virtually flawless bridge. Consider the following board, where a potential Canada gain vanished.

Opening Lead: ♦6

In the other room, when Israel held the North-South cards, they bid to 1NT after mentioning all their long suits. However, where Canada sat North-South on the auction shown, Darren Wolpert (North) tried 2NT, perhaps because his team needed a swing, and Ben Zeidenberg (South) raised to game. The diamond lead to the jack gave Zeidenberg the chance for an excellent play — and he took his best chance, by ducking the jack. Back came a diamond, and West cashed his diamond winners – necessary, even though it set up a diamond trick for declarer — and that in turn allowed East to discard an encouraging club. Without that clue, both major suits might well have seemed to be possible switches. In that case, declarer would have had nine tricks; but West trusted his partner’s signal and shifted to a club. Now the defense had a club and the ♥A to come. Well-done, everyone — one down, and five IMPs to Israel instead of seven IMPs the other way.

Bid with the Aces

This Hand of the Day was originally published on aces.bridgeblogging.com.

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