Do you stick in your short nose?

Today is the 80th anniversary of Great Britain’s declaration of war on Germany. That day was also my mother’s 10th birthday, but I never discussed it with her.

Some bridge deals are battles; others are swung on one seemingly inconsequential decision. What about today’s?

Oliver Goldsmith, an Irish-british author, wrote, “The first blow is half the battle.”

In a bridge deal, there are two first blows — the opening bid and the opening lead.

Whoever makes the opening bid gives his side an immediate advantage. The opening lead is made by a defender to try to balance declarer’s advantage. But sometimes it is the decisive blow — as in this deal.

South sensibly opened one no-trump. He did not worry about his low doubleton; covering that was partner’s job. North used Stayman to try to uncover a 4-4 major-suit fit. Now came the key moment of the battle; should East have made a lead-directing double?

In this deal, most definitely, because it takes a club lead to defeat four spades. If South wins with his ace, draws two rounds of trumps and turns to hearts, he can take only nine tricks. If he doesn’t touch trumps, East will ruff the third heart from the shorter trump side.

The double is not without risk. If South can redouble with ace-jack-fifth of clubs, and North can pass, it could prove pricey for East-west. However, when this deal was played at Bridge Base Online, when East did not double, West led the diamond queen. South gave up a diamond and cruised home, aided by two diamond ruffs on the board.