bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. North deals.

NORTH

xA J 9 7 6

u5

vA J 10 5 2

wQ 2

WEST EAST

x5 4 3 xQ 10 8 2

u9 7 4 uQ 10 8 3

v9 3 vQ 8 7 4

wA 7 5 4 3 w6

SOUTH

xK

uA K J 6 2

vK 6

wK J 10 9 8

The bidding:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1x Pass 2u Pass

3v Pass 4w Pass

4v Pass 4NT Pass

5u Pass 6NT Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Ace of w

This deal is from the Compact KO Teams event at the recent ACBL Fall North American Championships in Seattle. The slam was reached at both tables.

Many years ago we asked the great Benito Garozzo what he led against a slam when he held an ace. “Unless I have good reason not to,” he said, “I lead the ace!” That was the lead Jerry Helms, partnered by Bob Bitteman, found, and he continued with a club. Declarer could find no better line than running his clubs and eventually falling back on the diamond finesse — down one.

At the other table, Patty Tucker and Kevin Collins had a similar auction, and West led the nine of diamonds, covered by the ten and ducked by East. Declarer forced out the ace of clubs, and West shifted to a spade. Declarer won with the king and started running the clubs, bringing about this position:

xA J 9 7

u5

vA J 5

w --

x5 4 xQ 10

u9 7 4 uQ 10 8 3

v4 vQ 8

w7 5 w --

x --

uA K J 6 2

vK

w10 9

On the next club, dummy can discard a spade, but East is ruined. Any discard by East presents declarer with two tricks, using a heart finesse, if necessary. Try it!

2012 Tribune Media Services