BRIDGE

The slam finished down one with the king of clubs offside, N-S -100. South’s resolve to bid slam was an aggressive action that would rarely be successful. Partner was certain to hold wasted spade values and the opposition could be relied upon to cash a heart trick. North would need king-fourth of clubs for the slam to be a viable proposition. The king of clubs could have been onside, resulting in success, but North’s pass of five clubs was merely a preference which did not promise either the king or queen of clubs.

It is hard to resign yourself to defence when you are dealt a 0,1,6,6 distribution. A double of five hearts would furnish a two-trick set when South begins with three rounds of diamonds. North will eventually score two spade tricks and N-S will collect 500 points instead of losing 100.

Should South’s advance to four diamonds be considered forcing? This action denied spade support, to be sure, but it is reasonable to play this call as forcing. South would think twice about bidding four diamonds without a good hand that included spade shortness. Partner’s spade values would be of little use in a diamond contract. This is undoubtedly a sequence that a partnership should discuss.