BRIDGE
Smithing
Andrew Robson
I CONSIDER the most useful conven- tion in bridge to be the 'Smith Peter'; not Stayman, Transfer bids, or even Blackwood.
This is how it works: Partner has led against a Notrump contract and declarer has won and played a card at trick two that you cannot win. If you follow to this trick with a high spot card (a Smith Peter), you are telling partner that you like his opening lead; a low spot card would tell partner to try a new suit when he wins the lead.
Dealer South Both Vulnerable The Bidding
South West North East 1+ Pass 3+ Pass 3NT All Pass Against 3 NT, West led 47 to the jack and king. Declarer led •K and West won his ace and had to guess who had 4Q. If it was South, then West would have to lead a heart and hope his partner had the IPA, which he could win and return a spade through declarer's Qx. There was no dan- ger of this West erring by leading a heart — his partner had played the 49 at trick two, showing a liking for the spade lead. West cashed the 4A (in case partner had `Smithed' with an original spade holding of J652 or QJ); East unblocked his 4Q under the ace, enabling West to cash three more spades and set the contract.
The 'Smith Peter' is such a simple and effective principle that it makes sense to play that the opening leader (as well as his partner) can express an opinion about his own lead — in an identical fashion.
I eagerly await the day when an unfamil- iar partnership will agree to play 'Weak Notrump, Stayman, Blackwood and Smith Peters.'
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