Bridge

Once spades had been agreed as trumps, the bids of 4D and 5C were cue-bids, showing the ace or king of the suit bid (some players prefer a cue-bid to show the ace only). How would you play 6S when West leads the queen of diamonds? Declarer set out to take a ‘double ruffing finesse’ in hearts. After winning the diamond lead, he drew trumps in two rounds. He then cashed the ace of hearts and his remaining diamond honour. A diamond ruff carried him to the dummy and he led the queen of hearts, discarding a club when East did not cover. The first heart finesse lost to West’s king and declarer won the club return with dummy’s ace. When the ten of hearts was led, East covered with the jack. A great relief for declarer, yes, but this was no moment to relax! If declarer ruffed with the seven of trumps he would go down — he would have no entry to dummy and the winning heart there. Appreciating this, declarer ruffed with a high trump. He could then lead the seven of trumps to dummy’s eight and discard his last club loser on the established nine of hearts. That was twelve tricks.

What will you say now?

Answer
Partner’s reverse shows at least 17 points and you can therefore visualise a club slam. Even if you play that a continuation of 3C would be forcing, which some players do, it is better to show your excellent support with a jump raise to 4C. By bypassing 3NT, you make it clear to partner that you have great playing strength in clubs.

AWARDS: 4C-10, 4NT-6, 3D-5, 3C-4, 3NT-3.

David Bird — Knight Features

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