bridge

bridge

Both vulnerable. South deals.

NORTH

xK J

uK Q 8 5

vA 5 3 2

w8 4 2

WEST EAST

x10 4 2 x9 8 7 6 5 3

u6 4 uJ 2

vJ 10 9 4 v7 6

wK 6 5 3 wJ 10 9

SOUTH

xA Q

uA 10 9 7 3

vK Q 8

wA Q 7

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

2NT Pass 3w Pass

3u Pass 6u Pass

Pass Pass

Opening lead: Jack of v

This deal is from Bracket III of the Weekend Knockout Teams at the recent ACBL Summer North American Championships in Philadelphia.

North’s three clubs was Puppet Stayman, three hearts promised a five-card suit and North needed to hear no more. Slam was reached in short order.

Declarer won the diamond lead in hand, drew trumps in two rounds and set about guarding against a second club loser should the finesse fail. The spades were cashed, and declarer continued by cashing another diamond and then leading a diamond to the ace. When East showed out, declarer led another diamond, discarding a club from hand. No matter what West returned, declarer’s club loser would vanish. Try it.

2012 Tribune Media Services