ACES ON BRIDGE

“We are only undeceived Of that which, deceiving, could no longer harm.”

— T.S. Eliot

In today's hand, declarer has to demonstrate considerable foresight to land his game.

North's forcing no-trump response, followed by a jump to three hearts on the next round, shows a three-card limit raise, though an initial constructive raise to two hearts would surely suffice. (As an aside, balanced 10-counts do not make game facing balanced minimum openers. To make game, partner needs extra shape or high cards or both. With any of these, he is likely to make a call facing a constructive raise.)

Similarly, the direct raise leaves you far better placed if the opponents compete. A fourth trump (of course) or more side-suit shape would make a huge difference in your potential number of losers.

At any rate, South ends in the heart game on the club queen lead. Declarer wins with the club ace and lays down a top trump, ready to claim.

When West shows out, he has to adjust his plan. To pull all the trumps would leave declarer no access to the long diamond. He must unblock the diamonds; many declarers would now close their eyes and cash dummy's three diamond tops to no avail. In fact, they would go two down.

But only one of dummy's diamond honors need be cashed. Declarer can then throw the others on the trumps and run the diamonds from hand. To cash any more diamonds before drawing trumps is needlessly risky and would be punished here.

Without the diamond nine, declarer would need to cash two diamonds early, then unblock the remaining honor on the trumps.

ANSWER: You have no option but to let this go and pass. As a general principle, do not try to improve the part-score, especially when any bid is likely to get your side way too high. If you believe in introducing any sort of four-card minor as opener, even with 6-4 and a minimum, then passing here is even clearer, as your partner is not likely to have a second playable suit.