bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

xQ 10 8 5

uA Q J 9

vK J 8 7 2

wVoid

WEST EAST

x6 3 x7 2

u10 7 3 uK 8 5

vQ 9 5 v3

wA K 9 8 4 wJ 10 7 6 5 3 2

SOUTH

xA K J 9 4

u6 4 2

vA 10 6 4

wQ

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1v Pass 1x Pass

3x Pass 4v Pass

4x Pass 5w Pass

6x Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: King of w

Here’s an opportunity for you to test your analytical skill. After the lead of a club, at what trick can declarer claim his slam?

While the North hand counts to only 13 in high cards, its trick-taking potential at a spade contract is enormous and is well worth a jump raise. Thereafter, a cue-bidding sequence soon ended in six spades.

Go to the head of the class if you say after West plays to the fifth trick! Declarer ruffs the opening lead in dummy, draws trumps in two rounds, cashes the ace of diamonds and leads a diamond. When West follows suit, declarer inserts the jack and claims!

If East wins with the queen, he is endplayed. A club return yields a ruff-sluff, allowing declarer to get rid of one heart and discard a second on the long diamond. If East shows out, declarer loses no diamond trick and can try a heart finesse for a 13th trick.

Our congratulations if you picked the right trick — for the right reason, of course.

2010 Tribune Media Services