BRIDGE

Both vulnerable. North deals.
NORTH
x A Q
u K 8 2
v K Q 7 4 2
w 9 5 3
WEST EAST
x K 5 x J 7
u Q J 10 6 u A 9 5 4 3
v J 10 6 5 v 9 8 3
w K 7 6 w J 10 2
SOUTH
x 10 9 8 6 4 3 2
u 7
v A
w A Q 8 4
The bidding:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1v Pass 1x Pass
1 NT Pass 4x Pass
5x Pass 6x Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Queen of u
If you are in a contract where you need a specific lie of the cards to succeed, play as if that distribution exits.
The auction was fine up to the point where South bid four spades. That bid implied that all South wanted was to play in game -- he had other bids if he was interested in more. Why North felt that possession of two high honors in partner's suit merited another bid (without the ace of spades North would not have an opening bid!) we will never know. Certainly, we cannot fault South too much for proceeding to slam.
West led the queen of hearts, and declarer was horrified with the contract. To succeed, South would need a 2-2 trump break with the king onside, a 4-3 diamond split or a successful club finesse -- about a 10-percent chance. In addition, some technique was required.
Declarer played low from dummy to the first trick and ruffed the heart continuation. After cashing the ace of diamonds, declarer led a trump to the queen, which held. A diamond was ruffed in the closed hand, and there was light at the end of the tunnel when both defenders followed to South's lead of a spade to the ace. The king and queen of diamonds were cashed for two club discards and, when that suit also behaved well, the long diamond took care of the queen of clubs. Just another routine slam bid and made!
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; 2006, Tribune Media Services
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