aces on bridge

“Sole survivor, cursed with second sight

Haunted savior, cried into the night.”

— Eric Bloom

One of the regular fundraising activities of the American Contract Bridge League is to produce simultaneous pairs events with a commentary. This allows people to compare their results at the table with what, in theory, is par on the board.

In today’s deal from a recent such event, South does not possess a classic opener. (Indeed, Ely Culbertson might be turning in his grave at the idea of opening a hand with no aces and a bare, balanced 12-count.)

Having said that, with nobody vulnerable at pairs, it often pays to get in early and try to steal the contract. You’d expect West to bid spades over one diamond, and now North- South rate to reach three no-trump, probably by South, and most likely on a spade lead. (Of course, if West leads hearts, declarer will come home with no problem.)

Since declarer does not have second sight, he will probably win the spade ace, cash the club ace, then play a club to the eight and take the club king. To keep himself in the game, West must pitch two diamonds and a spade; if he pitches a heart, declarer establishes a third heart trick without too much trouble.

But after this start, South will have a shrewd idea of West’s original distribution: To bring home his contract, South must lead a heart to the nine at trick five. As the commentary indicates, any declarer who reads the cards this well will truly deserve his top!

ANSWER: You showed 15-17 at your first turn. Then completing the transfer showed three trumps. In context, you have a minimum, plus soft cards in the opponents’ suit. You have absolutely no reason to think of bidding now. Partner is in control of the auction, and he wants to sell out. Respect his authority.