Bridge

to South the queen continued but finessed with a club the ten on the way back. East scored the ace and wisely cashed the ace of diamonds, NS +450.

From East's perspective, he knew that South's distribution was 4,5,2,2 and he would lose the ace of diamonds. The jack of clubs falls under the king where South would dispose of two diamonds on the club winners. The Rule of Eleven indicated that declarer held ace-queen fourth of spades and thus it was absolutely clear to take the ace of diamonds.

North's three spade response was a splinter disclosing a singleton spade, four card heart support and an opening bid. South elected to sign off at game despite holding the ace of spades. He did not own a distributional value, his minor suit holding was worrisome and the spade queen was wasted opposite a singleton. What action would he take to reveal slam interest? Blackwood was not suggested with doubletons in both minors and a four spade cue bid seems like a stretch. The five-level could be a notch too high opposite some constructions. Partner could potentially try again for slam with a strong hand by cue bidding a minor over four hearts.

Author: Dave Willis - visit his website at www.insidebridge.ca

Questions on bridge can be sent with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to The New Canadian Bridge c/o Torstar Syndication Services, One Yonge St., Toronto, M5E 1E6. Copyright 2018 Torstar Syndication Services