ACES ON BRIDGE

“It is useless for the sheep to pass resolutions in favor of vegetarianism while the wolf remains of a different opinion.”

— William Inge

Here is the French International Patrick Sussel pulling the wool over the eyes of distinguished International

opposition, demonstrating that you can achieve equally successful deception against a pair playing count signals as against those playing only attitude. As with so many deceptive maneuvers, it involves an unnatural play that catches the defense off guard.

Sussel, as South, opened a weak two in spades and was raised to game by his partner. West’s opening lead was naturally the diamond king, and East helpfully showed an odd number of diamonds by playing the deuce.

When Sussel smoothly followed with the jack, it was natural for West to assume he should cash his side’s second diamond before playing on clubs, but the consequence was that Sussel could win and clear trumps without letting West back on lead for a club shift through dummy’s king. Of course, if Sussel had won the first diamond, the defense would have been much more straightforward, East winning the first trump and returning a diamond to receive a club through.

Incidentally, had the defenders been playing attitude signals, it still might not have been clear to West that East was denying the ace as opposed to helping his partner decide whether a second diamond would live by signaling length.

This maneuver is similar to the Dirty Coup showcased yesterday, in that it encourages a continuation of the first suit to the detriment of the defense.

ANSWER: Bid three hearts. Hands like this one, with a good primary suit and support for partner’s major, are often difficult to bid. Your hand is certainly a nonminimum, with the spade queen looking better now, so upgrade to a three-heart rebid. Even the heart 10 should play a factor in your decision. Facing a singleton heart, that card makes it far more likely hearts can be played for no loser.