Bridge - The Scotsman 26/12/12

Continuing the theme of handling trump from the Senior Trials.... East has the right distribution for a pre-empt, but the quality of the heart suit is quite a serious flaw. One West tried 3NT, which might have been right on a different deal; he escaped for three down when the defence somehow failed to cash all of their eight tricks.

Against 4H South led ace and another club. Where North played a third club immediately declarer had a nasty guess. North surely has the ace of hearts for his opening bid. If South has HJx East should ruff with the queen and finesse the nine; if North has AJ he should ruff with the ten; if North has AJx he should ruff with the ten if South’s singleton is the eight; with the seven if South’s singleton is the five.

Nobody guessed right, but one declarer was thrown a lifeline when North tried to cash the ace of spades at trick three. Declarer ruffed and played a heart to the king, and the club return promoted a trick for South’s jack. East could make his contract by crossing to a diamond to lead a low heart away from the king. If North wins the ace he can ruff a third club high; and if North ducks there is only one trump trick for the defence.

Of course, if North plays the eight there is still a guess: should he run the nine, playing North for AJ8; or should he rise with the queen, playing for the 2-2 break?