Column 7E15 (7-8-90) by Richard Pavlicek

So Bad He Trumped His Partner’s Ace

Witness today’s deal from the Knockout Teams at the Fourth of July Regional at the Sheraton Hotel in Bonaventure. South held only 10 high-card points, but his one-spade opening is correct (at least in the modern style) with the attractive 5-5 shape. West overcalled in hearts, North bid three clubs (forcing), South showed his diamonds, and North went to four spades as intended all along.

4 by South

None Vul	A Q 10 9 6 5 3 2 4 A J 8 4
— A K J 8 7 4 K J 10 7 9 5 2		8 7 6 5 2 Q 8 6 3 K Q 10 7
Lead: K	K J 9 4 3 10 A Q 9 5 2 6 3

West 2 Pass

North 3 4

East Pass All Pass

South 1 3

First let’s analyze the routine play. West leads the heart king and, lacking anything better, continues with the ace; East throws a diamond and South ruffs. South plays the ace of diamonds and ruffs a diamond, then a heart is led from the table. East must ruff with any spade but the deuce (else declarer has a complete crossruff), and South overruffs with the nine. A second diamond ruff; another heart, ruffed and overruffed; a third diamond ruff; and another heart. Once again, East ruffs but South now discards a club. Declarer cannot be prevented from scoring all five of his spades; together with two aces and three diamond ruffs, that’s 10 tricks.

Now let’s defend like a moron or an expert (pick one). West leads as before but East ruffs his partner’s ace at trick two (again, with any spade but the deuce). South must overruff, else a trump lead by East would be ruinous. Declarer tries to crossruff: Diamond ace; diamond ruff; heart, ruffed and overruffed; diamond ruff; heart, ruffed and overruffed; diamond ruff. At this point South remains with 4-3 in spades and East holds 8-2. Regardless of the play, declarer cannot win both of his trumps — down one.

Is there a moral here? I suppose. The next time you see someone trump his partner’s ace, you will know he is not an average player. Either he’s the Star Kist variety… or you’re in serious trouble!