British expert Victor Mollo in his book «The Finer Arts of Bridge» exposes the reader to the world of deception and artifice that exists in bridge. Mollo is captivated by the opportunities that abound for psychological plays.
Here is his introduction to today’s deal: «Declarer starts with the considerable advantage of having no partner to mislead. He can spread the most blatant falsehoods with impunity but more often than not it is the simple ones which are the most profitable».
After East’s lead directing double of five hearts, West dutifully led the nine of hearts against six spades. Declarer did not think that East would be so foolish as to double with nothing in hearts and so he rose immediately with the heart ace. The ace and king of spades drew all the defenders trumps and now declarer was looking for either minor suit queen. However, there was no immediate need to undertake that search. It could not hurt to lead a heart first. But which heart? True leading a low heart would establish the Jack for a discard from dummy but one discard in dummy would avail nothing.
Keeping a poker face. South played the heart Jack from his hand. East on the king and not wishing to give declarer the apparent sluff and ruff with another heart switched to the eight of diamonds. Curtains for the defense.