Sunday, June 24, 2001		Bridge

SOUTH found himself stampeded into a slam on this week’s deal. He might well have got there anyhow, he might well have made his contract, but it was East-West who ended with a plus score.

West dealt with North-South vulnerable and after three passes South opened One Club, hardly imagining that this next decision would be at the six level.

West overcalled with three spades, North raised to Four Clubs and East, to put on the pressure, made an advance sacrifice by bidding five spades. (This would have cost 500 points, a reasonable save against a certain game).

South could have taken the money by doubling but, not unreasonably, he pushed on to Six Clubs and all passed. West led a top Spade, declarer ruffed and drew trumps. There were two main chances — a finesse of Diamonds or an end-play.

South started by eliminating the Hearts — three top winners and a ruff in dummy. Next came D4 and, if East had played low, declarer planned to cover with the seven to end-play West, who would have to lead a Diamond or concede a ruff and discard.

East was awake, however, and seeing the danger, covered D4 with the eight. South fell back on his second chance and finesse DQ but West won and returned a Diamond and there was another loser in the suit.

When East followed with D8 there was no rush to play him for the King. If South had won with the Ace and crossed to dummy with a trump before leading another Diamond, he could still make his contract if East held DK. As the cards lay, his Queen would lose to the King but, with no Diamonds left, West’s compulsory ruff and discard would give the twelfth trick.