ACES ON BRIDGE

I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do. — Robert Heinlein

This week’s deals are based on surrounding plays. It is often necessary for a defender to switch to a nonstandard card in order to neutralize the power of a minor honor or intermediate on his right. It is effectively a pin, except the card in question does not fall. Instead, a finesse position will be created on the next round.

Take today’s hand as a classic example. South ends in four spades after North’s questionable raise. The jump to game is aggressive, but in accordance with one of Jeff Meckstroth’s rules, “When you have a six-card major and partner supports it voluntarily, bid game.” West leads a top club, East following with the five as suit preference for diamonds. West can place the diamond king with his partner, so two more tricks are needed, and the heart suit is the most likely source. Furthermore, it is necessary to attack hearts immediately while East still has control of the diamonds.

Many defenders would shift to the heart nine, hoping that partner has the jack or that declarer misplayed (or misguessed) by going up with the king. But this West realizes the power of his heart nine and shifts to the queen, starting to surround South’s jack. This works as long as his partner comes through with the jack or 10 — is that too much to ask? Declarer takes the heart king, crosses to the spade ace and takes a diamond finesse to East’s king. Back comes a heart through declarer’s jack, and the contract is beaten.

ANSWER: Lead the club nine. Your double of two clubs was not for penalty, so you expect your partner to have decent clubs. Since your side has the balance of power, you should aim to cut down declarer’s ruffing potential. Otherwise, there is a clear danger that declarer will try to ruff his losing spades in dummy.