bridge

bridge

North-South vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

xJ 8

uA 10 2

vK 4 2

wQ J 7 3 2

WEST EAST

xA 7 3 x10 9 5

u7 6 5 3 uK 9 8 4

vJ vQ 9 8

wA 10 6 5 4 wK 9 8

SOUTH

xK Q 6 4 2

uQ J

vA 10 7 6 5 3

wVoid

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

Pass Pass 1v Pass

2NT Pass 3x Pass

3NT Pass 4x Pass

6v Pass Pass Pass

Opening lead: Ace of w

How often have you heard of slam being bid and made when the declaring side is missing two aces, two kings and the queen-jack of trumps? This deal is from last year’s Lebhar IMP Pair Championship. Sitting North-South were the eventual winners, Blair Seidler of Fair Lawn, N.J., and Kevin Wilson of Knoxville, Tenn.

Had West found a heart opening lead, this hand would never have been reported. However, we are not sure we can blame West for leading one of his aces. Declarer ruffed the lead in hand, led the queen of hearts to the ace and led the queen of clubs, discarding the jack of hearts when East failed to cover.

Next came the king of diamonds, and West’s jack was a pleasant sight. The jack of spades lost to the ace, the heart return was ruffed in hand followed by the king of spades and a spade ruff on the table. The table’s last diamond was returned and the ten was successfully finessed. All that remained was to draw the queen of trumps with the ace and claim the slam.

2011 Tribune Media Services