NEW CANADIAN BRIDGE

Saturday, November 14, 2020

South rode the opening lead to the queen, crossed to the ace of hearts and discarded a heart on the ace of diamonds.

The queen of clubs was successfully passed when East declined to cover, resulting in twelve tricks, N-S +620. A heart lead would be the most effective beginning, in all likelihood culminating in eleven tricks. Declarer wins the ace and advances the king of spades for a ruffing finesse. He discards a heart as West scores the ace and cashes the king of hearts. South will then take a trump finesse to earn the game bonus.

North could count on partner to own a good nine-card suit but little else. If South held the ace-king-jack of clubs, there would be no chance that he owned a red-suit king or the ace of spades. North could count only eleven tricks and feared that a red-suit lead would defeat a club slam. Accordingly, he elected to conservatively pass the fivelevel pre-empt.

At all tables, the contract was either five or six clubs. Four times the opening lead was the ace of spades, presenting South with all thirteen tricks when a club finesse brought home the suit without loss.

Several pairs went down in a slam, presumably when West selected a heart as an opening shot.

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

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