BRIDGE with Bob Jones

The East hand would not be considered an opening bid by most USA players, but this deal was played in Australia, where they don’t have such exacting standards.

There are a number of bidding systems popular in Australia that are unheard of in the USA.

This deal was played in a team match and the East player at the other table opened one no-trump, in the middle of his agreed 9-14 point range. West was young Australian expert Nabil Edgtton, fresh out of the junior ranks.

The opening heart lead went to East’s jack as declarer ducked. Declarer also ducked the queen of hearts continuation, and Edgtton paused to think. Setting up his hearts was pointless, as he had no possible entry to cash them. He had to look for tricks in a different suit. The dummy, and partner’s opening bid, meant that clubs had to be the suit, so Edgtton overtook the queen of hearts with the king and shifted to the four of clubs.

Declarer put in dummy’s 10 of clubs and captured East’s jack with the queen. South knew that East had to have the king of spades for his opening bid and the contract could still be made if that card were singleton. Declarer did his best by leading the nine of spades to dummy’s ace. No luck. He continued with the queen of spades to East’s king. East cashed the ace of clubs and led a club to Edgtton’s nine for down one after a lovely defense.