ACES ON BRIDGE

As the poet said, ‘Only God can make a tree’ — probably because it’s so hard to figure out how to get the bark on. — Woody Allen

Today, North began with Stayman, then bid his diamonds rather than jumping to three no-trump, prepared to help the opponents on lead rather than blast to a possibly hopeless game.

South did not know which strain was best, so he showed his concentration with three spades (having already denied four), while suggesting worry about hearts. He would have been relatively happy to play three no-trump opposite short spades, but not opposite short hearts. When North raised spades, South signed off in five diamonds.

Declarer took the heart lead in hand and ran the diamond queen to East’s king. Back came the club 10. Declarer had no reason to insert the jack at this stage — that could be done later — so he ran it around to the ace. Then came a spade to the king and West’s ace. West returned a trump; South won this and ruffed a heart. Declarer then came to the diamond eight and ruffed another heart to tighten the position.

If spades were 3-3 or the club queen onside, declarer would have had no problems, but he needed to exercise great caution today. He led the spade jack and threw a club from dummy on the last trump from hand. East, who had merrily discarded two clubs thus far, now had to pitch yet another club. South played a spade to the queen and, when he saw West show out, knew that East had retained one spade and one club. Thus, he could play a club to the king, to drop the queen offside. A well-timed showup squeeze.

ANSWER: Bid three spades. Partner’s call is natural and either constructive or forcing — depending on taste. You have a maximum and a great hand for spades, so raise the suit — indeed, even a jump to four spades may be right. Hearts can hardly be the right place to play, since partner did not raise or inquire with two no-trump. And your partner can offer hearts at his next turn, if appropriate.