Bridge

It is often considered bad form to run bridge hands featuring yourself in the role of hero. But what is the etiquette regarding one’s wife?

Since I am still in the early throes of my honeymoon, I feel that it should be acceptable for me to introduce my readers to Judy Kay, who was one of the two defenders in today’s deal. Judy and I were wed at the end of last year. She is the widow of that great player Norman Kay, who for so many years was the regular partner of Edgar Kaplan.

The deal came up at the Cherry Hills sectional, with Judy as West playing with Jane Segal, East.

Judy had a tough lead against four spades. I would have led an unsuccessful club, but her choice of the heart ace drew the eight from her partner, so she continued with a heart to dummy’s king. Declarer led a trump from dummy to West’s ace, East’s heart-six discard sending a clear message. Since East would have encouraged a club if she had the ace or discouraged in either diamonds or clubs if she had no honor in that minor, pitching a heart had to suggest equal interest in both minors, and thus the kings of both suits.

Accordingly, a low diamond from our heroine saw dummy play low and East put up the king. Now came the heart queen, on which Judy pitched the diamond ace, ensuring that a fourth heart came through for a trump promotion and two down.

Bid with the aces

South holds:

Answer: Take your courage in your hands and bid three spades. Your opponents are trying to keep you out of the auction, and your heart length implies that partner is likely to have some spade support. If that is the case, your side could easily make game in spades even if you are facing quite a weak hand.