ACES ON BRIDGE

“A logical theory may be tested by its capacity for dealing with puzzles, and it is a wholesome plan, in thinking about logic, to stock the mind with as many puzzles as possible, since these serve much the same purpose as is served by experiments in physical science.”

— Bertrand Russell

This week, we will be looking at some deals from the Fall Nationals of last year, held in Austin, Texas. Here, Carlos Pellegrini and Pablo Lambardi arrived in a grand slam against Geoff Hampson and Eric Greco.

Lambardi won the opening spade lead and felt that the likelihood of trumps lying 4-0 was high enough that he needed to start hearts with the ace. (Would the heart 10 have been better? We shall see.) When both opponents followed, he was at a crossroads.

Playing against top-class players whose bidding could be trusted, it was surely correct to do as Lambardi did, by leading a low club to the nine. West had made two bids at game all without the spade king. He must have had plenty of shape to justify doing so opposite a silent partner. When West showed out but could not ruff, declarer was home. At the other table, North-South arrived in three no-trump, so this was a pickup of 17 international match points for Team Narasimhan.

Note that if trumps had indeed been 4-0 (and clubs 5-1), it would have been necessary to begin hearts by running the heart 10 at trick two (or the heart two, covering whatever East played).Then declarer would be able to take the club finesse (crossing to the heart ace first if necessary).

As a double-dummy problem, the right order of plays would be to win the spade ace and run the heart 10. If it is not covered, cash the heart ace and then take the club finesse. After drawing trumps, the club ace is unblocked and the diamond ace provides an entry to dummy’s good clubs.

ANSWER: Lead the diamond ace to get a look at dummy and retain the lead. This is unlikely to cost a trick with the weak hand on your right, and it may be necessary to cash out in the red suits. The sight of dummy should tell you what to do next. A club lead would be putting all of your eggs in one basket.