BRIDGE with Bob Jones

“Old bromides,” in bridge, are pieces of time-worn advice that are usually, but not always, correct. Two that go hand-in-hand are “5-5 Come Alive” and “6-4 Bid More.” They are suggestions that we should be aggressive with hands that offer exciting distribution, especially after finding a fit. South in today’s deal is an obvious disciple.

South won the opening club lead with dummy’s ace and made the far-sighted play of ruffing a diamond before playing a low heart from both hands, losing to West’s 10. West reverted to clubs, won by East with the king. Seeing a possible cross ruff, East shifted bravely to a trump away from his queen, but it was too late. Declarer won in dummy and proceeded to ruff three more diamonds in his hand and two hearts in dummy. In the end, South had scored six trump tricks in hand, two more in dummy, and two side aces for 10 tricks and his contract. “6-4 Bid More!”

There are two things of note. The contract would likely have failed had South not ruffed a diamond at trick two. He would not have been able to ruff enough diamonds in hand to get to 10 tricks. He would still have some end-play chances, but it is not clear what would happen. Also, the contract could have been defeated with an opening trump lead by West. That would have been a most unusual lead and West cannot be seriously faulted for leading from his club sequence.