Keep a low profile

I was amused by a comment in an issue of New Zealand Bridge, which sadly ceased publication a few years ago. While describing his team's match against an African nation at a world championship, the writer mentioned that on an early deal the opposing South made a strong jump overcall in diamonds while holding a weak 5-5 in the majors! North, taking his partner seriously, had bid a slam, which the Kiwis had doubled for 2300. New Zealand won the match, but not by a wide margin. Apparently, there were “too few opportunities for the opposing South to do his thing.”

Today's deal was also in the magazine. How should South plan the play in four hearts against the lead of the club jack?

New Zealand is a land of four-card majors; hence North's single raise. If North knows of at least five trumps opposite, a preemptive jump to four hearts has much to commend it.

Declarer made short work of going down. The first trick comprised the club jack, queen, king and ace. South drew trumps and drove out the diamond ace. However, West led his second club to East's nine, back came a spade, and the defenders had four tricks: two spades, one diamond and one club.

From the bidding and lead, it is almost certain that West has the spade ace. Therefore, every effort must be taken to stop East from getting on lead. Low clubs should be played from both North and South on the first trick. After winning the club continuation, declarer draws trumps and attacks diamonds. Now, though, East has no entry, and one of dummy's spade losers disappears on the third round of diamonds.