ACES ON BRIDGE

The history of human thought recalls the swinging of a pendulum that takes centuries to swing. — Peter Kropotkin

In this deal from the third quarterfinal match between Bulgaria and USA1 in the Bermuda Bowl last summer, the U.S. team played game at both tables.

In the other room, against three notrump by East, the opening lead was a low club. North won the ace and continued with the queen. East misjudged by overtaking with the king, which set up declarer’s nine for his ninth trick.

In the room shown here, East bailed out after a gambling three no-trump opener, over which Jeff Meckstroth as South found a courageous balance of four hearts, doubled by East.

On a diamond lead and a spade shift at trick two, this would have been at least one down. But when West continued with a top diamond, declarer stood a chance, even more so when East discarded a club on the diamond king.

Meckstroth ruffed, crossed to dummy’s club queen, led a heart to his jack, crossed to the club jack and led another heart. East went in with the ace this time and returned his last club, but Meckstroth could overtake his king with dummy’s ace, cash the club eight for a spade discard (ruffing it would not have helped the defense), ruff a diamond to reduce his trump length and play ace and another spade. His king and 10 of hearts were now sure to score the last two tricks.

So USA1 collected game in both rooms for a 14-IMP swing — which somehow seems rather low when you consider that a normal game swing is worth at least 10 IMPs.

ANSWER: This is an awkward hand: Facing short spades, you might easily make game in a minor, but not three no-trump. However, if you jump in one minor, you lose the other; and if you cue-bid, partner will expect you to have hearts. So maybe your best call is to bid two no-trump and hope partner will make a descriptive call with extras, not woodenly raise to three no-trump. If you would like to contact Bobby Wolff, email him at bobbywolff@mindspring.com