ACES ON BRIDGE

“What is the answer? ... In that case, what is the question?” — Gertrude Stein

Declarer played too quickly in this deal from an online game, and it cost him dearly. North's preference to three hearts promised no more than a doubleton trump here, so South could have temporized with three spades as a last-ditch effort to reach three no-trump. However, based on the bidding, North was not likely to have more than one spade stopper, so the heart game had appeal, and South duly bid it.

The defense began with three rounds of spades, forcing declarer to ruff.

The only problem lay in the trump suit, and South saw to it immediately, leading to the heart queen and back to the heart ace. When he cashed the heart king, the 4-2 break came to light, and declarer was suddenly in trouble.

With the clubs blocked, the best declarer could do was cash the club king-queen and then try to ruff a diamond in hand. West overruffed and was able to cash a spade to set the hand.

Once you see the problem, the solution is obvious — as Gertrude Stein so nearly remarked in her dying words (though it is possible she was not discussing a bridge hand). South should have unblocked the clubs before burning his bridges in the heart suit. That way, declarer could run all four club winners after drawing three rounds of trumps. West could either ruff, establishing declarer's heart five, or discard, whereupon declarer would switch to diamonds. Either way, the defenders score only one more trick.

ANSWER: Against the gambling opening call (showing a long, solid minor) lead the club seven.

It is often right to lay down an ace against this auction, but clubs represent far and away your best chance to set the contract, and leading the ace could easily block the suit. With a higher spade or heart in your hand, it might be more reasonable to consider the ace lead.