BRIDGE

Both vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
x K J 8 4 3
u 10 8 5
v 6
w K J 9 6
WEST EAST
x A Q 10 7 5 x 9 6 2
u K 7 3 2 u Q J 9
v 8 3 v Q 9 4 2
w 4 3 w 8 7 5
SOUTH
x Void
u A 6 4
v A K J 10 7 5
w A Q 10 2
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1v 1x Pass Pass
2w Pass 3w Pass
3x Pass 3NT Pass
6w Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: Four of w
The great Lew Mathe used to say: The only good slams are those that make! Consider this deal.
South is borderline for a forcing two-club bid and, had the minor suits been majors, that might have been the right action. As it was the auction up to the point of North bidding three no trump cannot be faulted. South's decision to leap to slam, though, with partner holding limited assets some of which were in spades and of doubtful value, is somewhat hair-raising.
West led a trump and declarer was not overjoyed with dummy. There was nothing to complain about the trump holding. But a red-suit queen would have been delectable. Declarer was faced with the possibility of two heart losers and a possible problem in diamonds as well.
South quickly settled on the best line. The opening lead was won in dummy with the nine of clubs and a diamond was finessed. When that held, declarer drew a second trump, cashed the ace and king of diamonds, discarding two hearts from the table as West parted with a spade. A diamond was ruffed and a heart was led to the ace. Declarer ruffed a heart in dummy, followed by a spade ruff back to hand. The last trump was drawn and the diamonds were run, declarer conceding a heart at the end.
Who said bridge was for the faint of heart?
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