Preference leads to a promotion

Jo Brand, an English comedian, writer and TV personality, said, "My preference is swimming in the sea. I find the sea is more liberating, wild and good fun, rather than plodding up and down a pool."

There is a preference signal in bridge that sometimes makes a player feel like he is flailing in a heavy surf. This week we are showing him how to swim safely ashore. Sometimes, though, two good plays are required - as in today's deal.

Look at the North and East hands. South is in four hearts. West leads the club three. How should East plan the defense?

South has a minimum for his two-heart response; and remember that it guarantees at least a five-card suit. With only four hearts, South would make a negative double and hope for the best.

Based on the point-count, East should realize that his partner has nothing. East must hope that his partner has led a singleton. So, East wins with his club ace and returns the club jack, his highest asking for a shift to spades, the higher-ranking of the other two side suits. But after West ruffs at trick two and returns the spade nine to East's ace, what does East do next?

East should lead a low club. When South covers with his eight, West will be forced to ruff with the heart four, which promotes East's queen as the setting trick. Brilliant!

Note finally that even if West unexpectedly holds the diamond king, declarer would win a trick-four diamond switch with his ace, draw trumps, and discard his diamond losers on dummy's spade winners.