ACES ON BRIDGE

There are who teach only the sweet lessons of peace and safety

But I teach lessons of war and death to those I love.

— Walt Whitman

When West led the heart king against six spades, declarer took it and played the two top trumps, both defenders following. He then turned to the club suit. If East had held the last trump, the slam would have been made. East could ruff in whenever he chose, but he would have no heart to return. Declarer could then discard both his heart losers on dummy’s clubs. But today it was West who ruffed the third club, and he cashed two hearts to put the slam two down.

Since you are booked to lose a trump trick, even if the spade suit breaks 3-2, the critical trump trick must be lost to East, who is known to be the safe hand. After winning the heart lead, you should play a trump toward your hand and win with the ace. You then return to dummy with a diamond to lead another trump. When the queen appears from East, you must duck. You can then win East’s return, draw the last trump, and discard your two heart losers. This play is indicated because hearts are known to be 6-1. Had West not bid, the line found at the table would probably have been best.

Incidentally, you would make the same sort of play if your trumps were A-Q-7-6-3. After finessing the spade queen, you would return to dummy to lead a second round of trumps. Whenever the spade king appeared from East, you would duck it, keeping West off lead for the duration of the deal.

ANSWER: The double of a no- trump opening or overcall is for penalties, so you have no reason to remove it. Your partner knows you opened third in hand (when, traditionally, a few liberties can be taken) and you have no reason to be ashamed of your values. Pass, and await developments. If you would like to contact Bobby Wolff, email him at bobbywolff@mindspring.com

BOBBY WOLFF