BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

SOUTH is declarer in 6 ♥ and North leads ♠ 6 to partner’s ace, which is ruffed. You continue with ♥ K, which is allowed to hold, then West wins ♥ J with the ace and East shows out. Play on. I CAN’T suggest an auction that persuades South to be in a slam, or how he, instead of North, becomes declarer.

You ruff the spade continuation and note your good fortune that East doesn’t have the long trumps. As long as neither opponent has a small club singleton, you’ll be able to discard four losers from dummy.

But have you spotted the big danger? There are five losers in dummy — and West will also discard rather than ruff.

As soon as you turn to diamonds, West will ruff and you’re a trick short. The key play is to cash

♦ A, if both oppo follow to ♣ AK, before running the remaining clubs.