Aces on Bridge

Today’s deal was played in this year’s Tarrytown congress. The East and West cards reflect the reward for best declarer play.

North could use fourth suit, then bid spades at his third turn, suggesting fourcard support and at least some slam interest. At the table, he chose instead to make a club splinter in support of spades. Both sides then cue- bid, but each had weak trumps, so neither could advance beyond four spades.

It was wise to stop there, but if either North or South had slightly better trumps ( the 10 in either hand), they would be aware that one trump honor opposite might suffice, and could use key- card to reach a respectable slam.

Assume you have managed to settle in four spades on a diamond lead. It would probably be sensible to duck a spade, then cash the trump ace and play a cross- ruff as your best line for 11 tricks. But what if you are in six spades? Your chances are now extremely slim. Your best bet is to lead a spade to the six at trick two. When East wins his queen and returns a club, you take the ace and ruff a club, then pass the spade jack, pinning West’s 10. This maneuver is known as an intra- finesse.

Assuming East ducks the jack, you next cash three rounds of diamonds, pitching a heart and two clubs, then three rounds of hearts, ruffing in hand. Finally, you cross your fingers and ruff a club in dummy. When that stands up, you take trick 13 with the trump ace.