bridge

bridge

Neither vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xJ 8 5

u6 4

vK 6

wA J 10 9 7 3

WEST EAST

xK 10 9 7 6 xQ 4 3 2

u3 uJ 8 7 2

v8 7 5 3 v10 4 2

wQ 8 6 w5 4

SOUTH

xA

uA K Q 10 9 5

vA Q J 9

wK 2

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

2w Pass 3w Pass

3u Pass 4w Pass

4v Pass 4u Pass

4x Pass 5v Pass

7u Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Ten of x

Study the diagram above. After the lead of the ten of spades is taken with the ace, two rounds of trumps reveal the bad break. Would you now rather play or defend the grand slam in hearts?

After an artificial game force of two clubs, North-South reach a perfectly acceptable contract of seven hearts that depends on little more than a 3-2 trump split or a singleton jack of hearts with either defender. Note South’s decision to start a cue- bidding sequence after North took a preference to hearts. When North cooperated by cue-bidding the king of diamonds, South needed to hear no more.

It might seem that, since you are an entry short to execute a trump coup, you cannot avoid losing a trump trick. But suppose you continue by leading a club to the jack. When it holds, you have created an extra entry. Ruff a spade, overtake the king of clubs with the ace and ruff a club, setting up the suit. Now you are down to the same trump length as East. Cross to the king of diamonds and simply run clubs until East ruffs. You overruff, draw the last trump and claim your slam.

Did you spot this line and elect to play? Alas, you did not complete your analysis of the hand. When you lead a low club to dummy, West can counter by shooting up with the queen. Again, you are an entry short for the trump coup. Down one.

2010 Tribune Media Services