Aces on Bridge — Daily Columns

The Aces on Bridge: Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020


6 Comments

Mel HochsterMarch 17th, 2020 at 2:36 pm

Shouldn’t North have been declarer?

Robert LiptonMarch 17th, 2020 at 10:41 pm

Six diamonds also makes. If a Spade is led to the first trick, if West wins, win the second trick, draw trump and claim with four clubs, 4 diamonds, and two in each major; if West ducks, cash HAK, ruff the third heart with the Ace, draw trump and claim with four in each minor, two hearts a Spade and a Spade ruff.

Any other lead, play a high Spade, win the return, HA,K, ruff with the ace and draw trump for a claim.

Bob Lipton

Iain ClimieMarch 17th, 2020 at 11:39 pm

Hi Bob, Bobby,

A brilliant hand for afficianados of the 4-3 fit! Mind you, there can even be cases where a 4-2 fit can work provided trumps are 4-3 and there is sufficient solidity plus the chance to ruff in the short trump hand. Most of them seem to be contrived or with the benefit of spectacular levels of hindsight, though.

Regards,

Iain

bobbywolffMarch 17th, 2020 at 11:52 pm

Hi Bob,

Yes, extra tricks at trump contracts are specifically connected to gaining an extra trick(s) by trumping in the short trump hand (usually specifically three) and still being able to control drawing trump in the long hand and, of course, with entries available which the defense cannot overcome.

In the real bridge world, the hands will vary, but the concept will not. Thanks for your post.

bobbywolffMarch 18th, 2020 at 12:07 am

Hi Iain,

How about: s. Ax, h. AKQJ,d. AKQJ. c/ AKQ
opposite: s. x, h. xx, d. xxxxx, c. xxxxx where with hearts trump and no minor suit voids out nor nine or ten card spade suits, with hearts 4-3 with the defenders 7 hearts, diamonds and clubs all make, a silly hand to present, except to remind all of us, the power of being able to ruff in the short hand?

Contrived? Poppycock, and only a dime a dozen.

bobbywolffMarch 18th, 2020 at 1:39 pm

Hi Mel,

No doubt, you are correct, and since it will be difficult to impossible for me to determine whether this was a real or contrived hand (my guess, contrived), it will likely never be known why someone, at the table (if it was real), didn’t speak up.

However, let’s just assume that east also led a heart, albeit the 10, although it is a stretch to consider a lead into declarer’s bid suit. However, the good news is that this hand’s theme is still basically the same.

Thank you Mel, for the use of your eagle eye and, of course, your considerable concentration.