How many tricks?

A reader sent me today’s deal — from a duplicate event — with a tale of woe. She was declarer at four spades after West had preempted in hearts. West led the king of hearts.

“I took the ace,” my fan writes, “and since it was duplicate, I went for an overtrick: I took the A-K of clubs to pitch my last heart. Unfortunately, West ruffed. I ruffed his heart return and led the king of diamonds, but West took the ace and led a trump, and East won and led a second trump. Then I could ruff only one diamond in dummy and had a second diamond loser. Down one.

“I’m wondering if I should have tried to safeguard the contract. And was my partner right to bid four spades? If West hadn’t preempted, North’s hand would have been worth only inviting game.”

Clearly, my fan is a thoughtful player. To answer her second question first, an opponent’s preempt often forces you to stretch to avoid being stolen from. North’s four spades was correct.

The question about the play

is harder. South could make game by leading the king of diamonds at Trick Two. West could win, cash a heart and lead a trump, and East could win and lead a second trump. But then South could ruff one low diamond in dummy and pitch one on the second high club.

Should South play that way? At duplicate, declarer must often judge whether the contract is “normal” (reached at most tables). At a normal contract, he can take calculated risks for an overtrick. Most North-Souths will reach four spades here. Still, my fan’s play entailed some risk. To play safe would have been reasonable.