The Ace of spades is a key card for many reasons. Here we shall see how possession of the Ace enables a player to keep control of the hand.

Toward the end of the hand a player may hold Axx and know that Partner is broke. Needing two more tricks, it is often correct to lead a low spade.

North -- 8 7 9 4 -- West K Q 6 9 -- -- East J 8 K 5 -- -- South A 7 2 -- J -- South to lead; North-South need 2 tricks.

South needs to win two tricks. He has them, in a sense, but he can't lead the good J because East will trump while West discards his last heart. Nor can he lead Ace and another spade because West will win and draw South's last spade. The winning play for South is to lead a low spade, keeping the Ace for control. The defenders have no answer to this tactic. Either opponent can win; a heart return enables South to trump, while a second spade lead is taken by the Ace. It is then safe for South to play the J and force out West's last spade. South wins the last trick with the 13th spade.

We see a related 4-card position at the right. Again the only play to net North-South two tricks is the low-spade lead from South. A spade return is taken by the Ace, and South can now lead a heart. North emerges with the last spade at Trick 13.

North 5 4 2 J -- -- West J 7 -- Q 3 -- East K Q 9 -- 7 -- South A 6 7 6 -- -- South to lead; North-South need 2 tricks.

A Play for Everyone

I should point out that South makes the Ace-underlead play not because he is an expert who can place every card. It is quite the opposite. A player typically makes this play from uncertainty of the position. Let's look at a full-deal example.

North J 8 A Q 10 9 8 10 8 8 7 5 4 West 9 7 6 2 K 6 4 A Q 3 Q J 10 East Q 10 3 J 5 3 2 5 4 2 A K 6 South A K 5 4 7 K J 10 7 6 9 3 2 The bidding: West North East South 3 2 3 4 West led the Q

In the next example, North made an aggressive 2nd-seat bid. I don't recommend such aggressiveness with only two spades.

Play started with three rounds of clubs, East winning the third. East switched to a low heart and North happily took his two tricks as South discarded a diamond. North now played a diamond, somewhat to South's annoyance, as he lost his K to West's AQ. After taking his two diamonds, West exited with third diamond.

North irritated his partner once again by trumping this trick with the 8. If North now played a heart for South to trump there would be no story to tell. But North decided Pard might need a spade finesse, so he led the J.

East covered the Jack with his Q and South took the K. These cards remained:

North -- 10 9 8 -- 8 West 9 7 6 6 -- -- East 10 3 J 5 -- -- South A 5 4 -- J -- South to lead; North-South need 2 tricks.

Uncertain of the position, South correctly led a low spade -- which was his only winning play. Either defender could win this trick but they had no way to keep North-South from scoring the two tricks they needed. East won and returned a spade, but South won the Ace and led his J. Whether West trumped or not, South had his bid.

You play pretty good," said North. "I'll let you be my partner in the upcoming tournament."

South suddenly remembered he had an urgent phone call to make.

Stay in Control

When you have the master spade you have control of the hand. Do not lightly surrender control. If spades are led, you are not required to take your Ace right away.

South had another winning option on the above hand. When North led the J and East covered with the Q, South who held AK54, could simply have ducked. The principle of maintaining control is the same.

Regards,
Popsicle