Daily Bridge Club

In the prestigious Vanderbilt Teams at the ACBL’s Spring NABC, South was Sabine Auken, a world-class player who has excelled in both women’s and open events.

When East opened with a third-seat weak two-bid, Auken overcalled three clubs, and West competed with three hearts. Then North, Roy Welland, boldly cue-bid four hearts, and Auken leaped to slam. The busy East-West bidding told her that North had a heart singleton or void plus useful values.

SPADE RUFFS

West led the queen of hearts, and East overtook to lead the queen of spades. Auken won and sandwiched three heart ruffs in dummy around two spade ruffs in her hand (leaving West with the defenders’ only high spade).

Auken then ran her trumps. When she led her last trump at Trick 10, West could keep three cards. He had to save his king of spades — dummy still had a spade — so he bared his Q-J of diamonds. Auken discarded the spade from dummy, took the A-K of diamonds and won the 13th trick with the ten. Well done! Questions and comments: Email Stewart at frs1016@centurylink.net