Aces on bridge
Today’s deal features a trump coup, a maneuver by which declarer can find a way to draw trump by the aid of a finesse when either he or dummy is out of trumps. Does that sound impossible? Look at the deal to see if you can work out how South can avoid a trump loser without seeing through the backs of the cards.
Against four hearts the club jack is led, which holds the trick. After taking his club ace and king, East exits with a diamond. Declarer wins the diamond queen and cashes the heart king and ace, getting the bad news.
Now a trump reduction is required to bring South’s trumps down to the same number as East’s. So next comes a diamond to the king, and the diamond nine is ruffed. Declarer continues by leading the spade six to the king, and the diamond ace is ruffed in hand. Finally, the spade queen is led to the ace, reducing everyone to two cards. A spade from dummy now traps East’s J-8 of hearts. Whether he ruffs high or low, you can claim the rest.
As the play went, declarer has to play a diamond after the heart king and ace to achieve the ending he wants. For declarer to succeed, he needs East to have begun with at least six cards in spades and diamonds, and at least two cards in each suit. Otherwise, East can pitch his spades on the run of the diamonds and disrupt the timing.
ANSWER: Even though your partner may be weak, you must start by doubling one heart. If the opponents show signs of having their values, or partner makes a minimum call, you may decide to let well enough alone. But bear in mind that your partner may have shape even if he does not have values.