SOUTH
4NT was Roman Key-card Blackwood, the 5H response showing two key-cards
(one ace and the king of trumps). How would you have played this slam
after West leads a spade? The original declarer concluded that he would
need to find the ace of clubs onside. He would also need a successful
finesse in hearts, to set up a discard for the losing spade. He won the
spade lead, crossed to the king of trumps, and played a club to the
queen, king and ace. West returned a club and that was the end of the
slam. A better idea would have been to take the heart finesse first.
When this succeeded, he could have thrown a spade on the ace of hearts,
cashed his remaining top spade, and returned to dummy with a trump. A
spade ruff would set up a long card in the suit, and he could then cross
back to dummy with another trump. Finally, he would throw a club on the
long spade and claim the slam. Just one club trick would be lost.
What would you say
now?
Answer
You will see some
people passing on a hand such as this, remarking afterwards that there
could not be much future in it if partner could only overcall at the one
level. In fact, it is essential to raise partner’s overcall on such a
hand. You remove some bidding space from the opener. You let partner
know that a spade lead will be welcome. Also, by showing support by
allow partner to compete to 3S, should he have a good hand.
SOUTH
4NT was Roman Key-card Blackwood, the 5H response showing two key-cards
(one ace and the king of trumps). How would you have played this slam
after West leads a spade? The original declarer concluded that he would
need to find the ace of clubs onside. He would also need a successful
finesse in hearts, to set up a discard for the losing spade. He won the
spade lead, crossed to the king of trumps, and played a club to the
queen, king and ace. West returned a club and that was the end of the
slam. A better idea would have been to take the heart finesse first.
When this succeeded, he could have thrown a spade on the ace of hearts,
cashed his remaining top spade, and returned to dummy with a trump. A
spade ruff would set up a long card in the suit, and he could then cross
back to dummy with another trump. Finally, he would throw a club on the
long spade and claim the slam. Just one club trick would be lost.
You will see some
people passing on a hand such as this, remarking afterwards that there
could not be much future in it if partner could only overcall at the one
level. In fact, it is essential to raise partner’s overcall on such a
hand. You remove some bidding space from the opener. You let partner
know that a spade lead will be welcome. Also, by showing support by
allow partner to compete to 3S, should he have a good hand.