ACES ON BRIDGE

“He ventured neck or nothing heaven’s success Found, or earth’s failure.” -- Robert Browning

This deal from the von Zedtwitz Life Master Pairs in Chicago last summer presented a typical matchpoint choice of games.

Three no-trump needs the opponents’ spades to be 4-4 -- less than a 50 percent chance. Five clubs needs the clubs to break -- call it a 70 percent contract. That leaves the Goldilocks contract of four hearts. Not too low, not too high -- just right. And four hearts outscores five clubs when it makes.

Incidentally, had East not doubled two spades, South would have had a very awkward call. As it was, though, he could pass and let his partner show delayed support. Against four hearts, West led the spade king, then the spade eight (in case declarer had a doubleton spade jack and his partner overtook the spade queen). South ruffed the third spade and cashed the heart king, then the ace and queen. What next?

Playing a fourth trump would be undignified if West had a spade left to cash, but playing on clubs would require West to follow to three or more clubs. Which line is better?

Playing the fourth trump looks best to me. It loses only if West has precisely four hearts, four spades and three clubs. (If he has precisely 4-4-32 shape, nothing works). Another big advantage comes if West is 4-4-4-1 or 3-4-5-1, since playing the fourth heart now saves the undertrick. Also, East’s double of two spades as a passed hand is surely more likely to be based on a five-card suit than only four.

However, at the table, declarer chose to play on clubs and went down a trick.

ANSWER:

Despite your limited values, your fifth spade should persuade you to compete to two spades here. It is not the job of the takeout doubler to bid his values twice. He can raise you in competition with extra shape or find some other call with extra values. But even if you are facing three spades and a minimum opening, no harm will come to you in two spades.