“Stop the world – I want to get off.” – Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse

Today’s deal offers a number of lessons in the auction and the play. The first is North’s rebid after his partner responds one heart. Two clubs is a possibility even though it should show a six-carder. Those rubber bridge players obsessed with honors will look no further than that call. But I prefer a raise to two hearts, telling partner that you have support, as you do. After all, with two honors and a ruffing value, your hand has more to offer in hearts than some balanced hands with four-card support.

After South’s game-try of two spades, suggesting three or four cards in spades headed by one top honor, North’s bid of three clubs suggests long good clubs and only three hearts, giving South a choice between bidding game and stopping at the three-level.

When he opts for the aggressive route, he is greeted by an opening salvo of three rounds of diamonds. After ruffing the third one, should he draw trumps? If so, how many rounds? Beware the trick question. As the cards lie, it does not matter how many rounds he draws. South no longer can make his contract, since the defender with four trumps has diamonds to cash on regaining the lead.

The winning play is simple – once you see it. Simply pitch a spade on the third diamond and ruff the next diamond in dummy. That way, you retain trump control and cannot be defeated.

Bid with the aces

South holds:

Answer: To make a one-spade overcall: I say yes, almost regardless of the vulnerability and position, for two very important reasons. You have a decent suit, happy for partner to lead it whatever his holding; and your bid takes up space – the opponents cannot bid diamonds or hearts at the one-level. If my RHO had opened one heart, I might well pass if vulnerable because my overcall would take no space.