“Death never takes the wise man by surprise; he is always ready to go.” – Jean de la Fontaine

How should declarer proceed to make six no-trump on today’s deal, from James Kauder’s “Return of the Bridge Philosopher”?

Playing on spades immediately succeeds when they break 3-3. Leading a heart toward the queen succeeds if East holds the heart king. A 3-3 spade break occurs only about one-third of the time, while leading a heart to the queen succeeds half of the time. At first sight, the heart finesse appears to be the better play.

But six no-trump also can be made on a squeeze whenever the defender with spade length holds the heart king. If the spades break 4-2, the player with four spades will hold the heart king about half of the time. So the combined chances of a 3-3 spade break and a squeeze are approximately 2 in 3.

Playing for a spade break or a squeeze is clearly better than leading toward the heart queen, which has only a 50-50 chance of success. Declarer therefore should win the diamond and duck a spade. Declarer wins any return, cashes the heart ace, and runs the diamonds and clubs.

The last club squeezes West, who holds three spades and the heart king. If West discards a spade, then declarer runs the spades. If West discards the heart king, then declarer wins the heart queen. This squeeze also works if East holds the spades and the heart king.

Bid with the aces

South holds:

Answer: Believe it or not, you have enough to jump to three no-trump. Your partner’s action shows a very good overcall in clubs, and you have enough in the way of general values and a diamond stop to want to play game, so just bid it.