ACES ON BRIDGE

If fortune favors you, do not be elated; if she frowns, do not despond. — Ausonius

At the 2019 European Youth Teams, the Netherlands youngsters bid to slam on today’s deal. Just like yesterday, their contract required luck plus good card reading, which is what it received.

North showed a strong hand with spades, then asked for aces. His five-notrump call promised all the key-cards, after which six clubs showed the club king; six diamonds was the last try for grand slam.

Whatever South meant by six hearts, it persuaded North to go for broke. I assume South thought he would bid the grand slam with the heart king, so that six hearts showed third-round control — which would have been critical facing king-fifth of hearts.

If so, the message was certainly not received!

An unlikely heart lead would have removed

South’s late entry. But after a spade lead, declarer could draw two rounds of trumps, unblock dummy’s minor-suit tops, cross to hand with the spade queen, cash the diamond ace and club king-queen, then re-enter dummy with a trump to run the spades. East, who had sole control of hearts and clubs, had to surrender.

This line also would have succeeded against an East with control of hearts and the diamond queen. An alternative approach might have been to unblock the club ace, then cross to a trump and take the top clubs to ruff a club. Now declarer would run trumps, pitching a heart from hand, to produce a crisscross squeeze. This line works when either opponent controls both red suits, though it requires you to read the ending.

ANSWER: Bid five no-trump to get your partner to pick a slam. You have too much for a jump to five hearts, which would be invitational. Slam is likely to make opposite a balanced 12-count. Your bid shows real extras in high cards and distribution, but it lets your partner decide on strain.

If you would like to contact Bobby Wolff, email him at bobbywolff@mindspring.com