ACES ON BRIDGE

“At me you smiled, but unbeguiled I saw the snare and I retired.”

— Alfred, Lord Tennyson

The defenders had to be wide awake against three no-trump after North’s aggressive invitation to game.The limited sequence saw West score a goal by leading a passive heart. Declarer took his ace at once and sneakily advanced the club 10, trying to look like a man with a two-way guess for the club jack. He intended to steal a club trick with dummy’s king and then finesse in diamonds, coming to nine tricks even if the diamond king was offside.

However, West produced the club ace. East dropped the seven (a Smith Echo encouraging the opening lead), so West pressed on with the heart 10. When this held the trick, West could see that it would be useless to clear the hearts, as East had no side entry. So, West did much better by shifting back to clubs to clear the suit. That allowed him to cash the long card when in with the diamond king.

Had West continued clubs when in with the club ace, declarer would have taken the king immediately.

Now, the defense would take only four tricks after winning the diamond king.

The heart continuation was a bait-andswitch play, so termed by Eric Rodwell, since declarer had to duck the second heart to cut the defensive communications.With an extra trick in their pocket, the defenders could shift to another suit to beat the opponents’ game.

South was a little unlucky, but he could have done better today by knocking out the diamond king first. Then, after ducking the second heart, declarer would be free to lead up to the club king for his contract.

ANSWER: Pass. There is little advantage to overcalling one spade. You have a weak hand with a moderate suit and no shape. What is more, your overcall will not take up any space. To act here would likely do more harm than good. Most important, you are happy to have partner make his natural lead against no-trump if he wants.

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