ACES ON BRIDGE

“I’m Charley’s aunt from Brazil — where the nuts come from.”

— Brandon Thomas Here is a wonderful piece of declarer play to end our tournament week.

At the other table in the 2000 Bermuda Bowl Final, USA1 had gone two light in five clubs, so Roberto Mello of Brazil faced a tough task when doubled in that same spot. Soloway led his singleton heart. Mello won in hand and started with a key play, finessing the trump nine on the first round. He was now able to draw trumps right away in four rounds.

Bob Hamman, East, began by discarding two spades and a diamond, but he was already in trouble on the fourth trump. He could not afford another spade, and a heart discard would enable declarer to set up the suit, so Hamman had to throw another diamond. He chose a small one, leaving himself with the bare king.

Reading the position perfectly, Mello exited with a low diamond to East. Hamman exited with a high spade, won in dummy. Now came the coup de grace. Mello exited from dummy with a low heart! Hamman was forced to win with the jack and concede a trick with his return, whether it be immediately in spades or via exposing himself to a ruffing heart finesse. Declarer’s other diamond went away on dummy’s extra winner.

The players later analyzed what would have happened if, on the fourth trump, Hamman had unblocked his diamond king. Mello had the answer: “I know the ending. I cash my top spades and exit with a diamond to West. He has to return a diamond now, after which East gets squeezed.”

ANSWER: Open three diamonds if non-vulnerable. The 6-4 shape justifies aggressive action in order to keep the majors out. Vulnerable, a weak two diamonds is more appropriate, or, if you do not have that tool, or if you play the call as promising more than this, simply pass. The diamond 10 would make the call more comfortable, I admit.