ACES ON BRIDGE

South has a tricky call at his second turn, and rather than rebid two no-trump with two small losers in an unbid suit, he invents a diamond suit to show his extras through a reverse. Yes, a simple rebid of three clubs would not be that much of an underbid.

The continuation over a reverse in an uncontested auction is one that is the subject of much controversy. In the past, everything that sounded non-forcing would have been construed as such, but a more popular style these days would be to use a call of two no-trump (or even two hearts) as artificial and setting up non-forcing auctions. Thus, North’s call of three clubs shows a game-forcing hand with support, and when South re-raises himself to four clubs, North decides to take a shot at slam.

After a heart lead, South wins the ace and is faced with a possible loser in trump and an immediate loser in hearts. Instead of taking an immediate club finesse, South follows a line to give himself an extra chance with almost no risk. He wins the heart ace, cashes his top spades, then leads a diamond to dummy and plays a third spade. Whether or not he should let this run if a small spade appears from East on the third round of the suit, the sight of East’s queen is enough to gladden declarer’s heart. He ruffs with the 10, cashes the club ace, and leads a diamond to dummy to play the winning spade, pitching his heart, and losing only to the club king. Note: Six clubs is easier to make than three no-trump!