Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Both vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
xK 9 7 4
uA 4 3
vJ 7 6
w7 6 3
WEST EAST
xQ 10 5 3 xVoid
uQ 8 5 uJ 10 9 7
v10 8 5 v9 4 3
wQ 10 2 wK J 9 8 5 4
SOUTH
xA J 8 6 2
uK 6 2
vA K Q 2
wA
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
2w Pass 2v Pass
2x Pass 3x Pass
4NT Pass 5u Pass
6x Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: Five of v
When we wrote about this deal a few weeks ago, we suggested that declarer win the first trick in hand and lead a low trump, simply covering whatever trump West plays. That will make the slam if West follows with a low trump. However, West can defeat the slam by inserting the ten of spades, and declarer must concede two tricks. Try it.
George Sheu of Chicago suggested a better line, combining a dummy reversal with our line. At trick two declarer must cash the ace of clubs before leading a low trump!
Now when West inserts the ten, declarer wins with the king, ruffs a club with the jack of trumps and now leads the eight of spades. West cannot do any better than win with the queen and continue with a trump, won in dummy. Declarer trumps the table’s remaining club, crosses to the ace of hearts and draws the last trump, discarding a heart from hand. Declarer takes three diamonds and the king of hearts to score 12 tricks and a well-played slam!
2009 Tribune Media Services