A C E S O N B R I D G E

“I want minimum information given with maximum politeness.”

-- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

This deal featuring Sally Brock caught my eye. Brock sat North in a team- of- eight event ( two pairs sitting one way, two the other). Her four clubs was a splinter bid agreeing hearts; her partner’s four diamonds was a mild slam try ( known as Last Train), rather than promising a diamond control. When her partner signed off in five hearts, Brock knew he must have a spade control, but he couldn’t have both top honors, so it was easy to bid the small slam. That was the par contract, but none of the other tables managed it.

Brock’s teammates with the North- South cards climbed to the grand slam. East doubled for no obvious reason; West interpreted this as a Lightner double and made the unfortunate choice of the spade jack as his opening lead. That ended the defense and led to a score of 2,470.

One of Brock’s opponents also bid to the grand slam. Here, though, West led a quiet club king, and the grand slam was one down.

Finally, at the fourth table, South passed as dealer, and North opened one spade. South now made a splinter bid of four diamonds, which encouraged North to use Blackwood ( not the best choice with a void). That led to South making a five- heart response, which West doubled for the lead. North now bid six spades, and East duly led a heart, which West ruffed. Unsurprisingly, declarer now did not guess trumps, so six spades went down one, and Brock’s team got the maximum possible swing, 24 IMPs.

ANSWER: A simple change of suit is best played as forcing after a two- level overcall. Though your plans are to reach game, you have no idea yet which strain will prove best, so you can wait to show your club support. Bid two hearts, and you can be confident that partner will introduce a spade suit next, if he has one.