ACES ON BRIDGE

Today’s hand comes to me from Ed Freeman, and was originally played on Bridge-Base.

West’s aggressive overcall might have led declarer to find his way home in three no-trump. The two-club overcall was part of a method called Suction, showing either long diamonds or both majors, with at least 5-4 shape. North’s double was Stayman, the two-diamond call suggested diamond tolerance, and the two-heart bid showed the majors. Now North suggested a heart stopper, looking for a spade stopper from his partner, and South followed instructions and bid three no-trump.

The question now was how to make three no-trump on a small spade lead to the ace. When East returned the spade nine, South covered, and West ducked. How should declarer continue?

If declarer tries to cash the diamonds, as he did at the table, he will be disappointed in the result. South can then take his club winners, but unless West does something foolish, declarer will take no more than eight tricks.

The best way to make the contract is to pitch a diamond from dummy at trick two, then exit with a spade at trick three. (Some small variations in the timing are possible.) This produces a classic suicide squeeze, in that if West cashes all his spades, East succumbs to pressure in diamonds and clubs. If West shifts to a club or heart without cashing all the spades, declarer can simply set up the ninth trick in diamonds.

ANSWER: You have the controls and playing strength for a one-level opener. The problem with passing is that you may not be able to get both suits in. While you have to rebid your diamonds over a likely one-spade response, I would much rather do that than open two diamonds or pass. If your side suit were spades rather than hearts, this would be a far more comfortable opening bid, since you have an easier rebid.

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. — Proverbs 17:28