GOREN ON BRIDGE

An important principle in defensive signaling is this: “Don’t tell partner what to do. Tell him what you have and let him figure out what to do.” This is a sound approach, as good players will usually defend accurately when they know what partner has. Usually, but not always. Sometimes you have to mislead partner and direct the defense in a way that only you can know is best.

Today’s deal features experts at every seat. North-South bid aggressively to a game that could be defeated, but it was up to East-West to find the solution.

Not knowing which major to lead, West led the ace of spades to get a look at dummy. East discouraged spades and West shifted to a low diamond at trick two. Dummy’s ace won as East signaled encouragement with the nine. Declarer led a low heart to his queen. West grabbed his ace and continued with the queen and another diamond, hoping partner had both the king and jack of diamonds. South claimed nine tricks.

It would have been better for East to discourage diamonds at trick two. Now West, when in with the ace of hearts, would surely have found the club shift. East will win with the king and cash the king of diamonds. He will have to decide whether West started with the queen of diamonds or the king of spades, but that should not be hard. South would not have accepted the invitation without the king of spades.