If He Helps You, Take Advantage

Marcel Proust claimed, “We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.” True, it is satisfying to work out something for yourself, but did Proust never have a teacher?

Have a look at today’s deal and decide which of the acolytes of Proust displayed bridge wisdom. Against five hearts, West led a trump. South won in hand with the seven and cashed the heart ace, East discarding the diamond two. Now South led his spade three, and, after West played the seven, he called for dummy’s king. When that held, South cordially conceded two minor-suit aces. How many mistakes were made?

Win at Bridge Phillip Alder

The errors started in the auction. True, North was unlucky that his partner had only one ace. However, if he had made a four-diamond splinter bid, he could have respected his partner’s four-heart signoff.

Knowing that his side had (at least) two aces, West might have selected a different initial attack, but it is hard to say that the trump lead was definitely wrong.

Once the aceless dummy appeared, both defenders should have realized that they had three aces. So it was at best weak for West to say that he ducked the spade because he was afraid South was void in clubs.

However, there was one other mistake, which you might have missed. On the second round of trumps, East should have discarded the spade queen. Now, even this West wouldn’t duck his ace.

So, there was little wisdom in this deal. Maybe the players should find a teacher after all.

Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, as suggested by the above cartoon.