ACES ON BRIDGE/OPINION

Success or failure depended on a seemingly unimportant move in this deal.

South elected to open light, then jumped in support of hearts. While he had a stronger rebid available, namely a two-diamond cuebid, three hearts was hardly an underbid. North also did not hold back when he bid on to game.

West laid down the spade king, East encouraging with the five. West now knew East held either the spade queen or a doubleton. He inferred that the latter was unlikely, given that South’s three-heart bid was surely based on shape after East’s cue-bid raise.

If so, West realized that he could safely underlead in spades. The advantage of this approach would be that East would later be able to lead a third spade from his side, forcing declarer to ruff thin air.

This defense turned out to be vital. East won the spade queen and returned the suit, tapping declarer, who crossed to the diamond ace to lead up to the club king. West won the second club and forced declarer again in spades.

Now South’s only chance was to play on crossruff lines. East’s heart 10 allowed him an overruff, and the contract failed by two tricks.

Had West played the spade ace and another spade at trick two, declarer would have ruffed and then crossed to the heart king to play on clubs. West could win the second club and play either a diamond or a spade. Whatever West did, though, declarer would remain in control. He would be able to ruff out the clubs and draw trumps, ending in hand.

ANSWER: It seems best to double.You would like to have more clubs for this call, but you cannot have everything. The emphasis is on reaching a spade contract. If partner bids clubs, you will have to pass in natural methods, but that might not be the end of the world. Quick and dirty is the best approach to competing.