BRIDGE

BRIDGE

Neither vulnerable, South deals

NORTH

xQ 3

u9

vK 10 6 3

wA K 10 9 8 7

WEST EAST

x5 4 xJ 10 9 6 2

uQ J 7 4 3 2 uK 8 6

vA 7 vQ 9 8 2

w5 4 2 wQ

SOUTH

xA K 8 7

uA 10 5

vJ 5 4

wJ 6 3

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1w 2u 3u- Dbl

3x Pass 4w Pass

4u Pass 6w All pass

-Club fit, good hand, denies four spades

Opening lead: Three of u

Today’s deal is from a tournament in New Zealand a few months ago. South was Australian expert Tony Nunn. North-South got caught up in an auction where North couldn’t limit his hand, so Nunn felt obliged to cue bid his two aces in case North had a better hand. North heard his partner open the bidding and then do nothing but cue bid. It became hard to put on the brakes in a sensible five clubs, and they ended up in a poor slam. Nunn, however, performed the ”Chemist’s Coup,” turning rubbish into gold.

Nunn won the opening heart lead and drew three rounds of trumps, ending in his hand. He noted that East, who was known to have had a high heart, had not bid four hearts, despite holding a singleton club. Nunn reasoned that he therefore did not hold the ace of diamonds. The straightforward line of playing West for queen doubleton of diamonds was not likely to work.

Nunn led a low diamond and put up dummy’s king when West played low. As West had followed to three rounds of trumps, Nunn felt there was an excellent chance that West held only two diamonds. He exited with a low diamond to his jack and West’s ace. Nunn ruffed the heart continuation and ran the rest of his trumps, hoping for the best. The best is exactly what happened! On the last trump, East was not able to keep both four spades and the queen of diamonds. Whatever he chose to discard, Nunn had the rest and his slam. Well done!

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