bridge

June 13, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

bridge

Both vulnerable. East deals.

NORTH

xK Q 5 3

uQ 7 5

vA 6 5 4 2

w10

WEST EAST

x9 8 x10

uA J 4 u9 6 3

v10 9 3 vK Q J 8 7

wK Q 7 5 2 w9 8 6 4

SOUTH

xA J 7 6 4 2

uK 10 8 2

vVoid

wA J 3

The bidding:

EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH

Pass 1x Pass 3NT

Pass 6x Pass Pass

Pass

Opening lead: ?

This deal is from the Trials to select the U.S. teams to the 2009 World Championships. In one room the contract was five spades, and after the lead of the king of clubs, declarer made exactly 11 tricks, losing two hearts.

This was the bidding in the other room, with Bob Hamman and Zia Mahmood of the Nickell team holding the North-South cards, they reached six spades quickly on this auction. North’s three no trump was a raise to game in spades, and Zia, knowing his team needed to pick up some points, bid the slam.

For some reason West elected to lead the ace of hearts, and that ended the defense. Declarer drew trumps, ruffed two clubs in dummy, discarded a heart on the ace of diamonds and claimed 12 tricks. The Nickell team went on to win the match and the World Championship.

Many years ago we asked a great world champion about leading against a slam. “Don’t even think — if you have a singleton or an ace, lead it.” We didn’t think about inquiring about when you hold an ace and a king-queen, but we’ll send him this hand anyway!

2010 Tribune Media Services