North-South vulnerable. South deals.

North-South vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x K Q 8 4
u A J 3
v Q 9
w 10 8 4 2
WEST EAST
x 9 3 x 10 6
u 8 6 5 4 2 u 10 7
v K 8 7 4 v J 10 6 3 2
w 9 3 w K J 6 5
SOUTH
x A J 7 5 2
u K Q 9
v A 5
w A Q 7
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
2NT Pass 3w Pass
3x Pass 4u Pass
6x Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: Four of u
Spot cards, so often depicted as x's when a bridge player shows someone a hand diagram, can be crucial to the fate of a contract. Here is an excellent example.
The auction was straightforward. When North's Stayman inquiry elicited a spade fit, North cue-bid the ace of hearts as a slam invitation. With the other suits controlled and a fifth trump, hence a ruffing value, South decided to try for 12 tricks.
West led a low heart, won by dummy's jack. Since there was no way to avoid taking the club finesse, declarer did so immediately, and was gratified when the queen held. After drawing trumps in two rounds, declarer surveyed his prospects.
If the opposing clubs broke 3-3, the 13th club would take care of the diamond loser. But that was against the odds, so declarer found an extra chance. Declarer cashed two rounds of hearts, ending in dummy. He then led a low club from the table and, when East followed with the six, inserted the seven.
West won with the nine but was endplayed. Since a heart would allow declarer to ruff in one hand while discarding a diamond from the other, West exited with a diamond. Dummy's queen was played and, when that won, declarer could claim 12 tricks.
Switch the six and eight of clubs around and there is no way to land the slam. On the second club lead East can insert the jack, gobbling up partner's nine, and there is no way declarer can avoid losing a trick in each minor. Try it.
XThis column is written by Tannah Hirsch and Omar Sharif. For information about Charles Goren's newsletter for bridge players, call (800) 788-1225 or write Goren Bridge Letter, P.O. Box 4410, Chicago, Ill. 60680.
& copy; 2004, Tribune Media Services