DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

Today’s deal wins the prize for the costliest error at the Summer NABC.

Both North-Souths reached six hearts. In the auction shown, North’s four spades was a conventional ace-ask, not a cue bid. West led the king of diamonds; dummy’s ace won.

South, a top professional, took the ace of clubs, ruffed a club and led dummy’s 10 of trumps to his king. He must have been stunned when West discarded — so much that he led a diamond next. West won and gave East a diamond ruff.

South had a blackout. After he took the king of trumps, he could cash the king of clubs, finesse with the queen of spades, pitch a diamond on the ace, ruff a spade, ruff his last club and score three more high trumps. In the replay, South made the slam to gain 17 IMPs, and his team won the match — by two.

Clients who pay pros hefty annual retainers to play aren’t accustomed to seeing them boot cold slams. North’s reaction, if any, is unknown.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ AQ93 ♥ A109

◆ A10754 ♣ 4. Your partner opens one heart, you bid two diamonds and he rebids two hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner’s two hearts shows minimum values, but you may have a slam if he has the right minimum — with honors such as the ace of clubs and king of diamonds. Bid two spades. If he next bids 2NT, jump to four hearts to show slam interest with club shortness.