THE ACES ON BRIDGE

“Work is the curse of the drinking classes.” -- Oscar Wilde ....................

The North hand is just worth a splinter raise to four diamonds, which shows game-going values with heart support and a singleton diamond. Despite being low on high cards, the fifth trump and two aces just tilt the balance in favor of the aggressive position.

It looks logical for South to ask for aces, then bid five no-trump to check for specific kings. If he heard a six-club response, he could bid the grand slam with confidence; but as it is, the small slam is far from cold.

Still, what might look like a 50 percent slam (if the club finesse works) can become a far better contract with a little care. On an opening top diamond lead, instead of relying on the clubs behaving, try the following line to exploit the possibility that West has all the high diamonds. Win the diamond ace, cash the spade ace, and ruff a spade high. Next, cross to dummy with a high trump to ruff another spade, and ruff the low diamond in dummy. Finally ruff a spade high and lead the diamond nine.

When West produces the 10, you should not ruff the trick. Instead you discard a club from dummy on this trick, leaving West on lead, with a choice of giving you a ruff and discard, or leading a club into your ace-queen. Either way, he has to concede the contract. If East can win the diamond and play a club through, you will fall back on the club finesse.