The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff

Deals from actual play are somehow more satisfying than constructed deals. No one has rung a bell to let the player know that the critical moment has come and that he must focus on the problem at hand before it is too late.

Opening Lead:  ♥5

After South took a punt at three no-trump, the defenders led a heart to the ace and returned the heart eight to West’s jack. West saw that the missing hearts were the nine and queen, and since East would have returned the nine had he been left with the 9-8 at trick two, South must logically hold both of those cards. A shift was logically called for, and West had the choice of playing his partner for the club ace or any two spade honors. Most guessed well by playing a spade. (On a club shift declarer would be likely to succeed by ducking the trick.)

But at our featured table, declarer, Tim Bourke, could see this scenario about to present itself to West. To prevent him from finding the winning play, Tim cold-bloodedly sacrificed the heart nine under East’s eight at trick two!

Now there were no inferences available about the small hearts. From West’s perspective he needed to cash the hearts immediately or declarer might be able to scamper home with nine tricks. (Give declarer any one of East’s black-suit honors, and that would be true.) So he cashed the heart king and set up Tim’s ninth winner for him.

Bid with the aces

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

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