NORTH'S 3NT showed at least a sound raise to game with no side-suit singleton. It was part of the splinter-bid system of raises. Had North held a singleton club, for example, he would have responded 4C instead. South co-operated with a cue-bid of 4D and North leapt straight to the slam. It was not particularly impressive auction because, from North’s point of view, a grand slam was quite possible. How would you play 6S when West leads the queen of diamonds? The main chance, of course, is that East will hold the king of clubs. You can then establish a twelfth trick by leading towards the club queen. There is a small extra chance that West will hold a doubleton king of clubs. In that case he can be end-played, provided you have eliminated the other suits. You win the diamond lead, draw trumps in two rounds and cash the other high diamond. A diamond ruff eliminates that suit and you cash the top hearts, followed by a heart ruff. The time has come to play ace of clubs and a club to the queen. It seems that your luck is out when West wins with the king but your second chance plays off. West has no further club to play. He has to return one of the red suits and you then ruff in one hand and discard a club from the other, making the slam.
What will you say on the West cards?
Answer The opponents have stopped at the two-level, so your partner should hold a few points. To contest the auction, you should now double (for take-out). This is the right call, whether an immediate double by East would have been for penalties or take-out. If your partner happens to hold long clubs, he is welcome to pass your double for penalties.
NORTH'S 3NT showed at least a sound raise to game with no side-suit singleton. It was part of the splinter-bid system of raises. Had North held a singleton club, for example, he would have responded 4C instead. South co-operated with a cue-bid of 4D and North leapt straight to the slam. It was not particularly impressive auction because, from North’s point of view, a grand slam was quite possible. How would you play 6S when West leads the queen of diamonds? The main chance, of course, is that East will hold the king of clubs. You can then establish a twelfth trick by leading towards the club queen. There is a small extra chance that West will hold a doubleton king of clubs. In that case he can be end-played, provided you have eliminated the other suits. You win the diamond lead, draw trumps in two rounds and cash the other high diamond. A diamond ruff eliminates that suit and you cash the top hearts, followed by a heart ruff. The time has come to play ace of clubs and a club to the queen. It seems that your luck is out when West wins with the king but your second chance plays off. West has no further club to play. He has to return one of the red suits and you then ruff in one hand and discard a club from the other, making the slam.
Answer