ACES ON BRIDGE

Today’s deal contains a somewhat complex example of a very simple theme. Beginners are usually taught to use high cards to encourage the lead and low cards to discourage. That is the simple concept, but more advanced players know not to consider signals in a vacuum. Using the concept detailed by Pamela and Matthew Granovetter in their books on the Obvious Shift, one can extend the idea of a positive signal to encourage partner to continue leading his suit, or one can discourage the opening lead, if a shift to the obvious suit is desired.

Here is an example: This deal was played in the second qualifying session of last year’s Kaplan Blue Ribbon Pairs. At many tables, South passed initially, but drove to game in four spades after North doubled East’s one-diamond opening and then cuebid at his next turn.

When West led the heart ace, what happened next depended on the defenders’ signals. At one table, after the heart ace went to the seven, two and six, West decided he needed to cash out. Even after the heart king drew the nine, five and jack, it wasn’t clear that East liked clubs, not diamonds -- was it? In any event, when West tried the diamond ace, hoping East had the king, declarer claimed 10 tricks, for plus 420.

By contrast, when Doug Doub was defending with Adam Wildavsky, Doub (East) helped his partner out. He played an encouraging spot card on the first heart lead. Now, after three rounds of hearts, the bad breaks in the black suits meant there were two inevitable diamond losers.

“The instructions for well-being ... knowing how to answer one who speaks, to reply to one who sends a message.”

-- Amenemope

ANSWER: This deal comes from Larry Cohen’s recent book, “Larry Teaches Opening Leads.” Whether or not the two club response is gameforcing, your primary fear must be that declarer can draw trumps and run the clubs. It looks right to get aggressive with a diamond lead and assume partner has either the ace or queen of diamonds, rather than hoping he has two top heart honors.