ACES ON BRIDGE

So much one man can do, That does both act and know.

— Andrew Marvell

The contract of three no-trump seems perfectly normal, but when the lead of the spade 10 from West goes to the queen and king, the contract may need careful handling. South must develop the diamonds to make his game, but the play to trick one strongly suggests that West probably led from a suit headed by A-10-9. If East is allowed to lead a spade later, West will be able to run the rest of the spades. This may defeat the contract.

Establishing the diamonds safely is simple: South must cross to dummy, with a club rather than a heart, of course, and must lead the diamond queen, planning to duck the trick around to West. However, when East covers (as he surely will), declarer wins and goes back to dummy, again with a club, to take another diamond finesse, this time leading to the nine. When both opponents follow and the nine wins, declarer can cash out for at least 10 tricks, with five diamonds, three clubs and two major-suit winners.

There is no danger if West wins the first or second diamond trick and leads another spade, as long as diamonds are breaking. Likewise, if West is able to score his diamond 10 and continue the attack on clubs, declarer can unscramble his nine tricks in peace and quiet.

One problem may arise if West can take the second diamond and play a heart: Declarer will have to hope the heart king is with West, since otherwise the blockage in diamonds prevents declarer from running that suit.

ANSWER: The world splits into two groups here. One half says double is penalty, with diamond length and at least a strong no-trump in high cards. The other group argues that it should be takeout — but if so, why didn’t you bid the first time? I side with the penalty crowd, and I will choose a spade or diamond lead if this is the final contract.

If you would like to contact Bobby Wolff, email him at bobbywolff@mindspring.com