DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

“Your honor,” the district attorney stated, “we will prove that South committed a felony: He booted a grand slam.”

“State your case,” the judge instructed.

“North’s bid of two spades artificially promised an ace and a king,” the DA said, “so South went straight to 7NT. He took the ace of spades and cashed the K-Q-A of hearts. West discarded, so South threw his last heart on the king of spades and tried a diamond to his queen. That was the end of it all.”

“Objection,” roared South’s counsel. “You can’t convict my client for taking a finesse that happened to lose.”

Was South guilty of a misplay?

South erred. After he wins the first trick, he runs six clubs. East must save all four hearts. South then takes three heart tricks and the king of spades. When East keeps his fourth heart, South throws his last heart. When dummy leads a diamond at Trick 12 and East follows, South knows East’s last card is a heart. So South can put up his ace of diamonds to make the slam.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ 109842 ♥ 96

◆ K ♣ 8 6 5 4 2. Your partner opens one spade. The next player doubles. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your hand calls for obstructive action; you want to make it hard for the opponents to find a good contract and suggest a sacrifice if they reach game. At equal vulnerability, jump to three spades. This is a weak action; you would redouble with a good hand.