ACES ON BRIDGE

Most truisms possess a kernel of truth, but one would be unwise to put too much trust in them. That is certainly the case with the advice: “Eight ever, nine never.”

With eight cards between the two hands when you are missing the queen, it might usually be right to take the finesse; but not always. Similarly, with nine cards, you will, in abstract, play for the queen to drop. But circumstances alter cases — another cliche — as in today’s deal.

After North had made an intelligent raise of spades at his second turn, West led three rounds of diamonds against four spades. South ruffed away the queen, cashed the spade ace, then led a spade to the king, East showing out. Declarer now took his slight extra chance in hearts by cashing the ace to protect against the queen being singleton offside, but then could do no better than finesse the heart jack for down one.

That was admittedly slightly unlucky; however, South had missed out on a chance to break the rules. After ruffing the third round of diamonds, cashing the spade ace was fine. But declarer should next lead a heart to dummy, followed by both top clubs, ending in hand. Only now should South play a second round of trump.

If West plays low, declarer should insert the 10. If this loses to the doubleton queen in East, that player will be forced to lead a heart into dummy’s tenace, or give a ruff-sluff with a club. That would be trumped in dummy while South’s losing heart could be discarded.