Get the contract into the right hand

Jacob Bronowski, who wrote and presented the wonderful

TV series, said, “The world can only be grasped by action, not by contemplation... The hand is the cutting edge of the mind.” In bridge, good players contemplate, then act; and the mind is the cutting edge of a hand. This deal is another in our theme of getting to or avoiding three no-trump when we have game values but no major-suit fit. What do you think of the auction? How should South plan the play in three no-trump after a low spade to East’s nine and his queen? The North hand is not quite strong enough for a two-no-trump opening (especially with that weak spade holding). After West overcalls one spade, North’s takeout double is flexible, but he might cue-bid two spades to ask his partner to bid no-trump with a spade stopper or two. Or North might even rebid two hearts, a reverse that shows his hand strength but ought to include at least a five-card club suit. Whatever North chooses, South rebids in no-trump and game in that strain is reached. After the spade lead, declarer has six top tricks: two spades (given trick one), two hearts and two diamonds. Where should he turn for the other three winners? There are two candidates: diamonds and clubs. But which is right? Hopefully you saw that it is clubs, where three more tricks are guaranteed. South will only get three extra tricks in diamonds if he can find the queen. Why guess? After winning the first trick, immediately play on clubs.