Bridge - The Scotsman 13/04/2012

ONE of the most annoying disasters in bridge is to let through a ridiculous slam on the lead. On this deal from a club pairs East and West had never played together before. West agreed to play Benjaminised Acol, although he was not very familiar with the system. He promptly picked up a two-loser hand, and decided that must be worth the game-forcing 2D opener. His partner had some nice cards, and gave a positive response in his solid five-card suit. Now West bid his longer suit, and East bid 4C. This was intended as ace-asking, but taken as natural. So West bid 4NT, also asking for aces – not a great bid with a void, but what else could he do?

In East’s world partner had shown three aces and an enormous hand, so he bid 7NT. South knew this contract had a serious flaw, so he doubled, perhaps momentarily forgetting that he was not on lead. North pondered the situation. South’s double sounded like a Lightner Double, asking for an unusual lead. The most unusual lead is often dummy’s first bid suit, so he scientifically led a diamond. Declarer won the ace, took a heart finesse, and, when the king dropped doubleton, claimed 15 tricks.

It would not help North to ask questions about auction, since neither East nor West had a clue. It was particularly galling to discover that on a spade lead, more likely if South had the discipline not to double, West cannot make even 3NT.