ACES ON BRIDGE

“Major Yammerton was rather a peculiar man, inasmuch as he was an ass, without being a fool.”

— R. S. Surtees

South might consider opening two clubs here — and if you were playing strong twos, this hand would be ideal for one. Still, whatever route South follows, a strong heart raise from North will surely see South drive to the heart slam.

After the lead of the spade jack, South must make the key play at the first trick, and it might be one that would not occur even to an expert — until too late.

The slam appears to hinge on the club finesse. If it succeeds, so will the slam. But what if it fails? All would be well if East could be persuaded to play back a spade. Can anything be done to make that happen in this situation?

The answer to this question lies in trick one. You must put up the spade queen from the dummy, hoping East will cover with the king. Now when you win the spade ace, it is no longer clearly a singleton.

Next, take the club finesse, hoping that if it loses, East will be convinced by your earlier play into returning a spade. If he does, you will claim the rest and East will feel like a fool; but you will get the credit.

Two further issues: Do not draw trumps before finessing in clubs, or West might get in a signal for diamonds. Secondly, your use of Blackwood followed by a jump to slam does suggest an ace is missing, but these things are always easier to work out with the sight of all four hands.

ANSWER: With a hand of this sort (where you are happy to act at least twice), start by bidding one heart, planning to bid two diamonds if the opponents bid two clubs. This sequence should logically suggest better or longer diamonds than hearts — otherwise, why bid the minor at all?