New Canadian Bridge

Declarer won the seven in hand on which East discarded a spade. He managed three heart ruffs in dummy, drew trump and disposed of a spade on the third club winner to bring home thirteen tricks, N-S 1440. The deceptive lead of the seven of spades would not alter the outcome because South owns sufficient entries to negotiate three heart ruffs.

functioned as a splinter disclosing five- card diamond support, an opening bid and a singleton heart. South employed Blackwood to ask for controls and advanced to a grand slam when partner revealed the ace of spades and the king of diamonds. South declined to ask for kings since partner had promised an opening bid and was marked with a concentration of values in the black suits since he owned few red-suit honors. 3NT has ten top tricks where South could be presented with a gift when West begins with a fourth best heart. However, we can surmise that the nine-trick game would rarely be reached at any table. The minor suit slam would be a popular contract at a majority of tables. How many would drive to the excellent grand slam is questionable to be sure. The employment of the splinter bid paved the way for N-S to attain their par by advancing to the minor suit grand slam.