ACES ON BRIDGE

North-South overbid here but came out smelling like roses. South’s vulnerable three-heart opening was aggressive; North’s quick tricks in the minors persuaded him to raise.

A spade lead would have let East win and shift to a diamond, setting the contract right off the bat. But West’s choice of a club gave declarer a chance. South played three rounds of clubs, throwing his spade, followed by a trump to the queen and king.

When West got off lead with a club, declarer ruffed and led another high trump to East’s ace. Back came a low spade, ruffed, followed by two more hearts. West threw a diamond, then the spade jack.

Placing West with three spades (since he had not led a top one), as well as four clubs and two hearts, declarer decided West had four diamonds and East two.

Thus, the normal play of leading a diamond to the ace and a second diamond was by no means sure to work.

South saw that if his hypothesis about the location of the diamonds was right, he could pick up a doubleton nine, jack or king on his right, depending on which diamond he led from his hand.

Declarer reflected on West’s opening lead and decided that, with jack-nine-fourth in diamonds, he might have chosen a diamond rather than a club as his opening salvo. There was therefore an argument that he had the diamond king. So declarer led the diamond queen to the king and ace, then picked up East’s doubleton nine to bring home his game.

ANSWER: Pass. You have to draw the line somewhere. With a complete minimum, only three spades and little shape, I would not venture a double. If my partner were not a passed hand, I would certainly consider acting. Similarly, if we move a card from one of the minors into the spade suit, I might stretch a point and act.