East-West vulnerable. South deals.

East-West vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xA Q 9 2

uK J 9 7 6 5

vK 4

w6

WEST EAST

x7 3 x8

u3 u10 8

vQ J 10 5 2 vA 9 7 6 3

wA J 9 8 4 wK 10 7 5 3

SOUTH

xK J 10 6 5 4

uA Q 4 2

v8

wQ 2

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x Pass 4w Pass

5v Pass 5x Pass

6x Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Queen of v

This deal from an international team championship has several interesting aspects. At the two tables, two slams were bid in different majors despite the fact that two aces were missing. The result was a tied board but not, as you might think, with a score of minus 50. Both slams were made!

Against six spades, West led the queen of diamonds, covered by the king and ace. East reasoned that, had West held the ace of clubs, he might well have led that card (a reasonable presumption since dummy’s jump to four clubs showed club shortness). In any event, East chose to try for a second diamond trick. Six spades bid and made.

This was the auction at the other table:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x Pass 2u Pass

4u Pass 4x Pass

5v Pass 6u Pass

Pass Pass

East led the ace of diamonds and, again, it looks easy to try to find partner with the ace of clubs, since the table’s spades could certainly take care of any clubs declarer holds. But looking at the queen in dummy, East was afraid it might cost a trick and shifted tamely to a heart. Six hearts bid and made.

2009 Tribune Media Services