ACES ON BRIDGE

“Thou god of our idolatry, the press ...

Thou ever-bubbling spring of endless lies,

Like Eden’s dread probationary tree

Knowledge of good and evil is from thee.” — William Cowper

Do you always tell the truth at the bridge table? It may not be as much of a virtue as you imagine. Consider the following deal from a world pairs event at Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1994, in which giving partner the natural signal would have cost you blood.

It seems natural for West to lead a top club against four spades, but how should East signal?

Although it may not be obvious, a little reflection will suggest that it can do no harm to discourage the suit, because you know that at best getting a ruff will break even, since you are ruffing with a trump trick.

As you can see, if West goes ahead and gives his partner a ruff, it will allow South to discard his heart loser on this trick.

That allows him to escape for just down one — and minus 100 would represent a very fine score, since it beats all the East-west pairs making game or part-score in hearts, whereas minus 300 would not be nearly as good.

Of course, West might cash his second top club at trick two, in case East has a singleton club, though he probably should not do so. But in any event, the position at the end of the second round of the suit should be clear to West. If partner has a doubleton (which you now know to be the case) and has told you unequivocally that he does not want a ruff, he has his reasons — don’t try to overrule him. Just play a heart as directed!

ANSWER: Do you pre-empt here or not? The vulnerability may play a key part in your decision; vulnerable I would not act, but non-vulnerable I would open three clubs in first or third seat, though not in second.

The absence of values in the majors is what should persuade you to consider action.