Bridge

East won the ace when dummy followed low and switched to a diamond. Declarer picked up the trump suit with a second round finesse of the jack and claimed twelve tricks, N-S +680. The major suit slam was not a viable contract since declarer must bring home the trump suit without loss to avoid defeat. A diamond lead would not alter the result because South would draw trump and play off two diamond winners discarding a club from dummy. A diamond ruff would be followed by a low spade towards the closed hand. Twelve tricks would roll home with the ace of spades in East. North's employment of a Jacoby transfer, followed by a raise to the major suit game, implied some slam interest. He could simply have used a Texas Transfer (four diamonds) and passed partner's conversion to four hearts. South had no notion of a further advance since he lacked a control in either black suit. 3NT will be produce an equal number of tricks when West begins with a club that runs to the queen. Declarer will pick up the hearts with a hook to lose only the ace of spades. If East parts with a diamond on the run of the hearts, South will score thirteen tricks.

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