The Aces on Bridge: Monday, 2 February 2026

The Aces on Bridge: Monday, 2 February 2026

Barry Rigal
Author

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The spirit of self-help is the root of all genuine growth in the individual; and exhibited in the lives of many, it constitutes the true source of national vigor and strength.

Samuel Smiles

Take the East cards here, defending against four spades.
Your partner, bless his cotton socks, fishes out the heart ace for his opening lead, on which you encourage with the 10. You win the next round of hearts and cash a third round as West throws an encouraging diamond seven. What now?
If partner has either top spade, you will beat this come what may, so assume declarer holds the spade ace and king. Based on the bidding, partner does not have room for both minor-suit kings. Therefore, given his suggestion of diamond values, you will not score any more tricks in the side suits. The club finesse is working if necessary.
You had best look for the setting trick in trumps. Lead a fourth heart in the hope that partner can ruff with the spade nine or 10, forcing out dummy’s queen. Because you have already inferred that declarer can discard any diamond losers on the clubs, you need not fear the ruff-and-discard.
This defense will legitimately beat the contract if partner has the 10-nine, but it will give declarer a nasty headache even if West has 9-x or 10-x. On the second round of the suit, declarer will have to decide whether to finesse against your jack or play for the drop, knowing you have three more hearts than your partner.
Partner ruffs with the spade 10, and declarer overruffs in dummy. Now, when he calls for the spade eight from dummy, you must be sure to play small without a flicker. Since partner has the spade nine, declarer now has no chance to make.

Barry Rigal

Barry Rigal is an English-born bridge player, author, commentator, and journalist who has won major national titles in both the UK and the United States and served as a VuGraph commentator for decades at European and World championships. He has written and edited numerous bridge books and articles and has been President of the International Bridge Press Association, contributing widely to the game’s literature and education.

Q83
986
A8
AQJ76
109
A5
KJ7543
932
N
W
E
S
J74
KQ1073
Q109
84
AK652
J42
62
K105
W
N
E
S
1
Pass
2
Pass
2NT
Pass
4
Pass
Pass
Pass

Opening Lead: Heart ace

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