NORTH’s 4C was a splinter bid, showing a sound game-raise in hearts with at most one club. The opener’s 4D was a cue bid, showing a diamond control and suggesting a slam in hearts. North’s 5C showed a void club, rather than a singleton, and his 5NT asked South to bid the grand if he held two of the three top trump honours. How would you play 7H when West leads the king of clubs? The original declarer ruffed the club lead, crossed to his hand with a trump and ruffed a second club. He then drew trumps and prepared to claim the contract with four trump tricks in hand, two ruffs, five spades and the minor-suit aces. When he played on spades, however, the 5-0 break came to light and the grand slam could no longer be made. What should he have done differently? To offset the lack of a fifth spade trick, declarer needed to take a third club ruff. It was easy enough. After taking the second club ruff, he should have returned to a trump and ruffed another club with the bare king. He could then return to the ace of diamonds (safer than a spade), draw the last trump and claim the balance.
Answer
You opened this 11-count because you had a great heart suit. It is best to rebid 2H at this stage. If partner continues with 2NT , 3D from you will be non-forcing. With a stronger 6-4 hand, you would rebid 2D. A continuation of 3H over 2NT would then be forcing.
NORTH’s 4C was a splinter bid, showing a sound game-raise in hearts with at most one club. The opener’s 4D was a cue bid, showing a diamond control and suggesting a slam in hearts. North’s 5C showed a void club, rather than a singleton, and his 5NT asked South to bid the grand if he held two of the three top trump honours. How would you play 7H when West leads the king of clubs? The original declarer ruffed the club lead, crossed to his hand with a trump and ruffed a second club. He then drew trumps and prepared to claim the contract with four trump tricks in hand, two ruffs, five spades and the minor-suit aces. When he played on spades, however, the 5-0 break came to light and the grand slam could no longer be made. What should he have done differently? To offset the lack of a fifth spade trick, declarer needed to take a third club ruff. It was easy enough. After taking the second club ruff, he should have returned to a trump and ruffed another club with the bare king. He could then return to the ace of diamonds (safer than a spade), draw the last trump and claim the balance.
You opened this 11-count because you had a great heart suit. It is best to rebid 2H at this stage. If partner continues with 2NT , 3D from you will be non-forcing. With a stronger 6-4 hand, you would rebid 2D. A continuation of 3H over 2NT would then be forcing.
