ACES ON BRIDGE

“Though mean Our object and inglorious, yet the end Was not ignoble.” — William Wordsworth

When East overcalled three clubs over North’s artificial and forcing call, South opted to get his spades in at once. North was never going to stop short of slam now, and perhaps unwisely raised South to six spades rather than playing the more straightforward contract of six diamonds.

Against the slam, West led the club king, and declarer had plenty of winners, but the losing clubs presented a significant problem. He gave himself a sporting chance when he ruffed the opening lead in dummy, coming back to hand with the diamond king to ruff another club. Then he cashed the trump ace and discarded his last club on the diamond ace.

However, he still needed to come back to hand to draw trumps. When East followed to a third round of diamonds, declarer ruffed high while West carefully pitched his remaining club. This meant that when the spade queen went around to East’s king, a third round of clubs promoted the setting trick for West’s spade nine. Can you see how declarer might have done better?

After ruffing the opening lead with the spade five, lead the spade six from dummy. If a defender wins this with the king, you can ruff the next club with the spade ace. If your spade queen holds, take the spade ace, then the diamond ace, crashing your king. Then cash a second diamond to throw one club away. Next lead a third diamond, pitching your last club.

This line fails only to an unlucky lie of the cards in more than one suit.

ANSWER: Even with the knowledge that your RHO holds a spade stopper or two, it seems cowardly to pass here. I’m torn between two spades and three clubs. I’d go for the two spade bid, on the basis that partner can revert to clubs if he has five spades...