BRIDGE

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xK J 3

uA Q 5

vA K 5 2

wJ 10 5

WEST EAST

x10 7 x9 8 6 5 2

u10 9 8 7 uJ 4 3

v9 3 vQ J 10 8 7

wQ 9 7 6 4 wVoid

SOUTH

xA Q 4

uK 6 2

v6 4

wA K 8 3 2

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT Pass 6NT Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Ten of u

Here’s an opportunity to test your dummy play technique. Cover the East and West hands and decide: How would you play six no trump after West leads the ten of hearts?

The auction is a matter of simple arithmetic. With a balanced 18 points, North has enough for a small slam even opposite the most minimum of no-trump openings but not enough for a grand slam even opposite a maximum. So there is no need to dilly-dally. Get there by the direct route.

The problem is simple enough. After the opening lead, you can count eight tricks in the three highest-ranking suits with no possibility of a ninth, so you need four club tricks to land the slam. That is simple enough if clubs break 3-2 or 4-1, but what if they are 5-0? Your slam is still cold regardless of who holds the club length!

Suppose you win in dummy and lead the jack of clubs. When East shows out there is no way you can come to more than three tricks — try it. The same holds true if you win the heart trick in hand and cash a high club.

The correct line is to first lead a low club from the closed hand. West cannot rise with the queen so must follow low and the table’s ten wins. Return to hand with a spade and play another low club. Whether West rises with the queen or plays low, you are sure of four club tricks and your contract.

What if West shows out on the first club and East captures the ten with the queen (ducking is no better)? Win any return, cross to the jack of clubs and take the marked finesse for the nine. Making six-odd!

2009 Tribune Media Services