BRIDGE

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 13 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 12 tricks.