THE
deal comes from the USA, so North’s 1NT shows 15-17 points and South’s
transfer sequence promises 5-5 in the majors (with 5-4 they start with
(Stayman). How will you play 6H when West leads the jack of clubs? You
win with dummy’s ace and cash the ace and queen of diamonds,
throwing your club loser. Suppose you play the king and ace of trumps
next. The 4-1 trump break will come to light. You cannot afford to
draw all the trumps before playing on spades because East will win the
first spade (leaving the suit blocked) and force your last trump with
a diamond. If instead you play on spades while West still holds two
trumps, East will win the second spade and give his partner a spade
ruff with the 8 ahead of dummy’s 7. Instead you must cash just the
king of trumps and play on spades. If East win the first spade and
forces you with a diamond, you can cash dummy’s other spade and draw
trumps. If instead East wins the second spade and plays a third spade,
the ace of trumps remains in dummy to overruff West. Your contract is
secure.
What will you rebid on
the West cards?
Answer Even just K-x-x-x in the trump suit, opposite, would be enough to give you a good play for game and you should rebid 4S. There is no point whatsoever in introducing the diamond suit. You might have done so if the opponents had entered the bidding, so that partner would have a good picture of your hand and could cooperate in any decision to take a push to the five-level.
THE
deal comes from the USA, so North’s 1NT shows 15-17 points and South’s
transfer sequence promises 5-5 in the majors (with 5-4 they start with
(Stayman). How will you play 6H when West leads the jack of clubs? You
win with dummy’s ace and cash the ace and queen of diamonds,
throwing your club loser. Suppose you play the king and ace of trumps
next. The 4-1 trump break will come to light. You cannot afford to
draw all the trumps before playing on spades because East will win the
first spade (leaving the suit blocked) and force your last trump with
a diamond. If instead you play on spades while West still holds two
trumps, East will win the second spade and give his partner a spade
ruff with the 8 ahead of dummy’s 7. Instead you must cash just the
king of trumps and play on spades. If East win the first spade and
forces you with a diamond, you can cash dummy’s other spade and draw
trumps. If instead East wins the second spade and plays a third spade,
the ace of trumps remains in dummy to overruff West. Your contract is
secure.
Even just K-x-x-x in the trump suit, opposite, would be enough to give you a good play for game and you should rebid 4S. There is no point whatsoever in introducing the diamond suit. You might have done so if the opponents had entered the bidding, so that partner would have a good picture of your hand and could cooperate in any decision to take a push to the five-level.