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Daily Bridge in New Zealand
Again!
Yesterday, we saw how a ruff and discard, enabled the defence to at least prevent an overtrick, and indeed threaten the success of the contract. We do not normally knowingly present declarer with a ruff and discard unless it could work to the defence’s advantage.
Today, unlike yesterday, we do not see a rule broken. The lead of an unsupported ace (no king) is not the normal against a suit contract, unless it is doubleton or perhaps from extreme length hoping to give your partner a ruff. One of those conditions applied today.
| West Deals None Vul |
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| West | North | East | South |
| you | dummy | ||
| Pass | 1 ♣ | Pass | 1 ♥ |
| Pass | 1 NT | Pass | 4 ♥ |
| All pass |
Well, as West, we led our unsupported ace against South’s 4
game. 1NT showed a weak no-trump hand and South was within seconds in game.
You led 
A and partner encouraged, winning the second trick with 9. Next came K and Q from declarer. Over to you.
Yesterday, you hoped that your partner held a certain card, the trump 10, to create an extra trick for your side. Today, that same card, the trump 10, is in your hand. So, you should not go wrong. Yet, a lazy over-ruff here will be the last trick the defence will take.
Are your eyes wide open enough to see the 10 in your own hand?
On the bidding given, you would be very fortunate if your partner held the 
A, the only other card which would definitely give the defence a 4th trick. They did not!
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West Deals |
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| West | North | East | South |
| Pass | 1 ♣ | Pass | 1 ♥ |
| Pass | 1 NT | Pass | 4 ♥ |
| All pass |
If West won their king at that point, a relieved declarer simply draws trumps and takes a winning spade finesse. By discarding, you will create a second trump trick for your side. There is no way South can avoid that. The only danger for West is to play too quickly when the Q appears.
Promotion, this time, with all the evidence before your eyes.
Enough trumps?
Six to the king? Is that enough for you to risk a penalty double at the 4-level? Take a look.
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| West | North | East | South |
| Pass | 1 ♣ | ||
| 3 ♠ | 4 ♥ | ? |
Bet you are glad you did not open a weak 2! Well, not a very good bid with your hand when you are vulnerable! Partner is there this time with what should be a reasonable pre-empt. So, time for a tickle?
We will see, tomorrow, on Jan’s Day.
Richard Solomon
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