ACES ON BRIDGE

The laws of nature are constructed in such a way as to make the universe as interesting as possible.

— Freeman Dyson

Using Lebensohl, the theme of this week’s deals, responder’s new suits at three-level following a no-trump opening and two-level overcall would be natural and game-forcing rather than just invitational.

The situation is slightly different when (as here) you hold five cards in a higher-ranking suit than the overcall. Since a call of two spades is weak and a jump to three spades is game-forcing, the middle range bids two no-trump to puppet three clubs, then invites with a bid of three spades. At his third turn, North has enough to raise to game.

When West leads hearts, would you rather play or defend? Say South, fearing a 7-1 heart split, takes the ace and comes to hand with the diamond ace to advance the spade jack, covered all around. West wins the next trump and plays another heart to his partner. The next heart lead promotes West’s spade seven to the setting trick.

Declarer does better to duck the opening lead to cut defensive communications. East can win and continue the suit to dummy’s ace, and declarer crosses with a diamond to lead the spade jack, covered. West takes the next trump but can do no better than shift to a club. Declarer wins the ace, draws trumps and finesses in diamonds for 10 tricks.

However, there is a better defense. West should duck the second trump and win the third, then play a club. Declarer can no longer reach his hand without letting East in for the killing third round of hearts.

ANSWER: Jump to three hearts. Opposite a passed partner, the aim of the game with such shapely hands is to pre-empt. Three hearts will take away West’s invitational spade raise and may leave the opponents guessing as to what to do over a threespade call.

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