ACES ON BRIDGE

Opening Lead: Spade six

In a teams match, both Wests sensibly preferred to lead spades rather than either of their more impressive minor suits against three no-trump. Both Easts won their king and returned a spade rather than the killing diamond.

In one, declarer went all-out on the diamond position. She took the spade in dummy and played a diamond to the eight, hoping for honor-nine onside or that East would split his honors if he had the kingqueen. West won and cleared spades, and when declarer led a diamond to the jack, the defense had six winners.

The second declarer won in hand with the queen to play on clubs. They reasoned that the spades would not provide a real threat unless West somehow held five and both top clubs. East captured dummy’s club queen and returned a spade, but declarer crossed to hand in hearts and played another club, for nine tricks.

The second declarer followed a better line, but

East should have shifted to diamonds upon winning the first club. This defense was unlikely to hurt, and in fact, when declarer finessed, it would let West win and clear spades, with five apparent defensive winners set up.

However, declarer could still succeed, even now.West would soon become marked with 4=1=4=4 shape after his failure to lead a five-card minor. On the run of the hearts, West would be forced either to bare his diamond honor or to pitch his winning spade. That would allow declarer to throw him in with a club for a diamond return.

ANSWER: You have the shape for a negative double, but partner’s most likely rebid will be two hearts — then what? Your hand is better suited to defense, with well-placed diamonds and a singleton in partner’s suit. So pass, intending to convert partner’s reopening double to penalty. The occasional minus 180 is not a disaster; if you do not double a few making contracts, you are not doubling often enough.

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