Goren on Bridge

Some experts might quibble with South’s choice of a negative double at his first turn, but all would agree with the jump to game at his second. We used to call this a New York game try — bid game, try to make it.

South won the opening diamond lead with his ace and ran the jack of hearts. Had East smoothly ducked this, it would have given declarer a serious problem. East, however, won with the queen, cashed the ace, and continued with a third round of the suit to dummy’s king. South cashed the ace and king of spades to discard his remaining diamond, and then had to decide how to play the club suit for one loser.

There are several ways to tackle this combination in the club suit. One is to cash the ace and hope West has a singleton honor. Another is to play the ace and another club hoping one opponent has the king-queen doubleton. A third is to play East for a doubleton 10, with or without a higher honor. There are hands where any of these plays might be called for, but the best chance here was door number three. South led a low club to his nine and West’s king. South ruffed the spade shift from West and led the jack of clubs — low, low, 10! South quickly claimed the rest. Well played!