Saskatoon StarPhoenix

BRIDGE

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

A Launch Dealer: South None vulnerable NORTH ♠AK876 ♥K52 ♦J8432 ♣ WEST EAST ♠1092 ♠43 ♥Q9764 ♥AJ1083 ♦A109 ♦Q75 ♣J9 ♣642 SOUTH ♠QJ5

♦K6 ♣AKQ108753 W N E S 1♣

Pass 1♠ Pass 3♣

Pass 3♦ Pass 6♣

All Pass

Opening Lead: ♦A

South won the diamond continuati­on, drew trump and claimed the slam, N-S +920. The diamond lead had saved a trick because South will romp home with thirteen tricks versus any other beginning.

South elected to bid a club slam, buoyed by the fact that partner had rebid diamonds and not 3NT. South could have then revealed the three-card spade support, perhaps culminatin­g in a major suit slam. This action would wrong-side the contract where a diamond lead could potentiall­y defeat the contract. On this layout, North would be successful when East starts with a diamond ducked to the ace but a heart lead is another story.

The spade slam would not fare well when East tees off with the heart ace. North trumps in dummy and follows with three top clubs. West must refuse to ruff the third one so that declarer will be unable to draw trump and enjoy the club winners. East could then trump a fourth club to set the contract.

If he mistakenly ruffs the third club, North overruffs and plays two rounds of trump ending in dummy to run the clubs for twelve tricks. 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.

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