Both vulnerable. South deals.
Both vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
A K Q
A Q 9
Q 5
K 6 5 4 2
WEST EAST
J 10 9 8 6 5 3
Void 8 7 3 2
K 10 8 6 9 7 3 2
Q 9 3 J 10 8 7
SOUTH
7 4 2
K J 10 6 5 4
A J 4
A
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1 Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 4NT Pass
5 Pass 7 Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Jack of
Don't be satisfied with the first line you see. There is often a chance to combine two chances at no cost.
The auction was quick and accurate. North made a simple two-over-one response and, when South rebid hearts, bounced into Key-Card Blackwood, where the king of trumps counts as a fifth ace. On learning all five controls were present, North confidently contracted for all the tricks.
West led the jack of spades, taken by the queen in dummy. Declarer could count 12 tricks and the obvious plan for a 13th trick was to take the diamond finesse, but that is only a 50 percent shot, and no one wants to play a grand slam that is an even money bet. In fact, declarer can increase his chances by more than 30 percent at no cost. A 4-3 club distribution will also produce the extra trick and requires no more than careful handling.
At trick two declarer came to hand with the ace of clubs, crossed to the table with a trump to the nine and ruffed a club, went back to the table with the ace of trumps and ruffed another club, and when both defenders followed the grand slam was home. The king and jack of trumps drew the outstanding hearts, a diamond going away from dummy on the last trump, and dummy's two spades and two clubs were cashed for two diamond discards from hand. The ace of diamonds was the 13th trick.
A happy, healthy and peaceful new year to all our readers.
This 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. Send e-mail to gorenbridge@aol.com.
& copy; 2006, Tribune Media Services
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