BRIDGE

THIS deal comes from a recent duplicate, and not all pairs reached the comfortable contract of 6NT. Because big hands such as West’s arise so very rarely, we don’t get enough practice in slam bidding. How would you handle it with a favourite partner? ONE pair actually reached the extraordinary contract of 7♣, and the only conceivable sequence must have been 2♣-2♦; 3♣-4♣; 4NT5♦;7♣. The contract failed, but would have made, if the best line had been followed. How would you plan it?

You can only dispose of one of your two losers on the third heart; your one hope of getting rid of the other is if spades break 3-3 – a 36 per cent chance, so you should play for this.

Start by cashing your three AKs (both opponents follow), then three rounds of hearts discarding a spade.

You next ruff a spade and, if both opponents follow, you’re home. Cross to ♣J and discard a diamond on ♠J.