With a big fit, go on offense

Thomas Fuller, a 17th-century English churchman, author and historian, said, “Learning makes a man fit company for himself.”

In bridge, you much prefer a fit with partner, which often compensates for a lack of highcard points. What do you think of the auction in today’s deal? What happened in four hearts, and what would have happened in four spades by West?

Yes, West would have done better to open four spades here. North used a Michaels Cue-Bid to show at least 5-5 in hearts and either minor. East’s three-spade raise indicated the values for a respectable single raise. (A three-heart cue-bid would have shown at least game-invitational values.) South had an easy four-heart advance, knowing about a double fit. But then, why did West pass? It was unlikely that four hearts would fail. Yes, perhaps four spades doubled would cost 500 or 800, more than the opponents’ nonvulnerable game, but with a big fit, it was surely right to bid on. (The Law of Total Tricks advocates bidding four spades.)

Against four hearts, West led the spade king (king from ace-king in a bid-and-raised suit), then continued with the spade ace. Declarer ruffed and had two winning approaches: ruff clubs on the board or establish diamonds.

If West were in four spades, North would probably lead his singleton, receive a club ruff and underlead his heart ace, hoping partner had only king-fourth of hearts. However, West would have ruffed, drawn trumps and claimed, losing one diamond, one club and the ruff.

At Bridge Base Online, not one West went to four spades.