ACES ON BRIDGE

Between the chances, choose the odd; Read The New Yorker, trust in God; And take short views.

— W.H. Auden

In today’s deal, South landed in a touch-and-go game, which required some excellent card-reading.

When East opened one diamond, South doubled, planning to introduce his hearts at his next turn, which he did. When North raised to three, most Souths would think they had done enough already. However, this South tried three notrump, gambling on finding a trick and some heart support in dummy. North was tempted to overrule his partner but decided against it.

Declarer ducked the diamond lead but had to win the next one for fear of a club shift. He then ran the heart suit, hoping to read the ending. East opted for deception by throwing his low spade at the earliest opportunity — on the fourth heart. He also pitched two diamonds and, finally, the club king, trying to look like a man with an original 3=2=6=2 shape and hoping West had the club queen.

However, declarer was aware that an expert would try to pull the wool over his eyes. He crossed his fingers and laid down the spade ace, subsequently finessing the spade 10 for an overtrick.

Having made the necessary assumption that his partner had the club queen, East had a legitimate way to defeat the contract — though this is not an easy defense to find at the table. He should have thrown all four of his remaining diamonds. This would require West to pitch all his spades and keep the diamond 10 and his clubs. Then the defenders would have come to three clubs and a diamond in the ending.

ANSWER: Now that partner has shown extras and a fit, your attractive shape should persuade you to bid game. The two hands may not fit perfectly, but the probability of finding the perfect strain and making exactly nine tricks is small. The fifth trump and side singleton should be worth something! I would, however, pass with a singleton heart and doubleton diamond.

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