NEW CANADIAN BRIDGE

Friday, October 9, 2020

East topped the jack of clubs with the ace and continued the suit for dummy's king. The queen of diamonds was successfully passed and another trump extracted the king, resulting in twelve tricks, N-S +420.

North's hand zoomed in value when partner responded with two diamonds. A three spade rebid would have been a splinter revealing excellent diamond support that included a singleton spade. However, the jump to four spades accomplished a dual purpose.

This action disclosed a spade void but, at the same time, asked for controls. South was told not to count the ace of spades as a control. The 4NT response promised one or four controls and North signed off in the minor suit game assuming that partner held only one control. If South had held four controls, he would swiftly have advanced to a grand slam. 3NT declared by South would likely have yielded an improved score. West would begin with a fourth best spade as declarer tops the jack with the king. South is virtually forced to play a club to reach dummy for a diamond finesse. East takes the ace to return the nine of spades for the ten and queen resulting in ten tricks with the king of diamonds in the slot.

Author: Dave Willis - visit his website at www.insidebridge.ca

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