ACES ON BRIDGE

I am a bear of very little brain, and long words bother me. — Winnie-the-Pooh

Setting a trump suit after using Stayman over one no-trump may not be complex, but it does require discussion. The key is that using Stayman and jumping to four no-trump after hearing a response in a major is best used as quantitative without a fit, because you really have no other way to show that hand. Conversely, to set partner’s major as trump after you find a fit, bid the other major at the three-level. Since you can’t be looking for a fit there with a five-card suit (or you’d have begun with a transfer), this simply sets trump and shows interest in slam.

In today’s deal, North-South use this identical structure over a two-no-trump opener; as South, you drive to six spades after your partner shows extras. When West leads the heart 10, you determine that you will need one black suit or the other to behave well. How can you maximize your chances?

Although you can come home easily when the trump king is doubleton onside, as here, you should also be able to succeed when East has three trumps instead of two, as long as you are careful. Win the heart lead in dummy and finesse the spade jack, then cash the ace. When the king drops, draw the last trump. If it doesn’t, play three rounds of hearts, then start running the diamonds. Unless East has two or fewer hearts, he will have no exit card when he ruffs in, and he will be forced to lead a club for you. If he discards on the winning diamonds, throw him in with the third trump, and the result will be the same.

ANSWER: At any vulnerability and form of scoring, you should balance with one notrump now. The range for this call over a minor-suit opening bid is approximately 11-15 points; with more, you would double and rebid one no-trump. The range for this call is admittedly wide, but your partner can ask for range and shape with a call of two clubs at his next turn.