Why did partner break the agreement?

FRANK-N-ERNEST® GRIZZWELLS® BIG NATE® ARLO & JANIS® ZITS®

Solon, who lived from circa 630 to 560 B.C. and is thought to have laid the foundations for Athenian democracy, said, “Men keep agreements when it is to the advantage of neither to break them.”

Successful bridge partnerships have lots of agreements. Most of them relate to bidding, but in some ways, those for defense are more important. But what does it mean if a player suddenly does something in contravention to an agreement?

In today’s deal, what should West lead against four spades?

The bidding had a couple of debatable calls, but I had to get South into four spades somehow! Despite the vulnerability, West ought to have bid four hearts over one spade. Then North would probably have raised to four spades, hoping partner did not take him too seriously. Note that if East had competed with five hearts, South would have doubled, gaining 500 if West were kept from ruffing two clubs on the board. North should lead a trump, but if he starts with a spade, South can shift to a heart.

Against four spades, many Wests would immediately lead the heart king. Yes, that is fine if East overtakes with his ace and shifts to the diamond two -but why would he ever do that?

Instead, West should make an alarmclock lead: the heart two! East knows that this isn’t fourth-highest. Because West has gone against the normal agreement, he is asking East to do something unusual. In this situation, it is to find West’s void. Then the defense goes: heart to the ace, diamond ruff, club to the ace, diamond ruff. Buzz, buzz!