The deal comes from junior bridge, Holland’s Jos Scherders, winning a prize for his brilliant defence in the West seat. He led a low spade, ruffed in the dummy. When declarer ran the jack of trumps, Scherders followed smoothly with the 6. Declarer continued with a low trump to the queen and this time West produced the king. The defenders then scored three spade tricks, putting the slam three down. Excellent defence, yes, but should declarer have seen through it? How would you have played the slam? After the first finesse had succeeded, declarer could pick up the trump suit only if East had started with a doubleton of tripleton king. With such a holding would he not have covered the jack of trumps with the king? Maybe not, in case his partner held a singleton queen. Declarer might have tried a different line entirely. Suppose he crosses to a diamond at Trick 2, ruffs a spade, returns to another diamond and ruffs a third spade. He can then play two top clubs, throwing his last spade. The line would fail here because when he ruffs a club with the 9 West will overruff and deliver a diamond ruff.
What would you say now on the West cards?
Answer
Partner may have no points at all and you should not bid a slam without consulting him. The way to do this is to make a cue-bid in the enemy suit - here, 411. If partner is not completely bereft and holds such as six trumps to the queen, or a couple of potentially useful cards, he can then head for a slam. Myself, I will pass 4S if that is all partner can say. Note that a Blackwood 4NT is pointless.
Awards: 4H - 10, 4S - 5, 5S - 4, 6S- 3, 4 NT -2.
The deal comes from junior bridge, Holland’s Jos Scherders, winning a prize for his brilliant defence in the West seat. He led a low spade, ruffed in the dummy. When declarer ran the jack of trumps, Scherders followed smoothly with the 6. Declarer continued with a low trump to the queen and this time West produced the king. The defenders then scored three spade tricks, putting the slam three down. Excellent defence, yes, but should declarer have seen through it? How would you have played the slam? After the first finesse had succeeded, declarer could pick up the trump suit only if East had started with a doubleton of tripleton king. With such a holding would he not have covered the jack of trumps with the king? Maybe not, in case his partner held a singleton queen. Declarer might have tried a different line entirely. Suppose he crosses to a diamond at Trick 2, ruffs a spade, returns to another diamond and ruffs a third spade. He can then play two top clubs, throwing his last spade. The line would fail here because when he ruffs a club with the 9 West will overruff and deliver a diamond ruff.
Partner may have no points at all and you should not bid a slam without consulting him. The way to do this is to make a cue-bid in the enemy suit - here, 411. If partner is not completely bereft and holds such as six trumps to the queen, or a couple of potentially useful cards, he can then head for a slam. Myself, I will pass 4S if that is all partner can say. Note that a Blackwood 4NT is pointless. 