ACES ON BRIDGE

When a contract looks easy, the declarer should focus on what might go wrong, then prepare for it. However, when declarer is strapped for tricks, he must assume a friendly layout and think positively.

Today’s deal belongs to the former category. South’s two-club response is forcing to game, and he can therefore content himself with two no-trump over North’s two-diamond rebid. North promptly raises to game. If South had jumped to three no-trump, it would suggest an intermediate hand of around 15 to 17 points, typically including a doubleton heart. Declarer can count eight top tricks on the opening lead of the diamond queen. He could look for more tricks in either rounded suit, but the clubs offer better chances.

To blithely play the club ace and king — in the search for an overtrick when the jack comes down doubleton or the suit splits 3-3 — would deservedly fail on this layout, with clubs splitting 5-1 and hearts 4-2. Declarer should instead win the opening lead, then cross to the club ace and lead another club from dummy. When East follows, declarer can sew up his contract by finessing the 10, ensuring he takes four club tricks. If East were to show out instead, declarer could win and turn to the hearts, hoping for an even split.

The safety play is necessary to make the game on this layout. While the best strategy for five tricks is to play the suit from the top, here South adjusts his line to the circumstances of the deal.