Big Slam Magazine - Flipbook - Page 29
ITS Match 4. Not the singleton!
North has a routine 4] opening. Three Souths
thought a fit and four quick tricks were enough for
slam. Could have been right but a game preempt
at favourable will often be weaker than the actual,
more like an old style 3-bid.
Match 6. A tough slam to bid
Liam Milne reports on a good switch found by his
NSW teammate, Maurits van der Vlugt.
Some North South's pushed to the failing 5[. Of
those playing 4], two made and two failed.
North leads a heart to your king. The reflexive
play is to switch to the singleton diamond.
But analysis reveals it will not gain a trick, even if
partner has }A and {K. You get your ruff but set
up the diamonds for declarer.
So Maurits found the club shift into dummy's AJ9.
Declarer can still make it by cashing the }A then
endplaying South with a club exit but it is a tough
ask. (More appealing is to do the throw-in without
cashing the }A, hoping South has the }K )
Match 5. Favourable
WEST
NORTH
EAST
Gumby
1NT
2[
4{ minorwood
4] queen ask
6{
SOUTH
Lazer
2{
3{
4[ 0-3 KC
4NT no {Q
4[ showed extras as well as three key cards. 6{
was bid at just two tables out of 30.
Match 6. Double fits