Big Slam Magazine - Flipbook - Page 81
Match 1 of finals
Surprisingly, only two of 10 in the finals bid 3NT
here and they both made it.
After one top spade, South has to find the diamond switch. Not so easy. Partner could easily
have [AQJ or AQT, when a heart switch is
needed.
Common auctions were
WEST
NORTH
EAST
SOUTH
X
no
3]
1{
5{
2]
end
Everyone was in 4[ here. Seven did well to make
it. Say West leads a trump. You need the black
kings to be with West and probably 3-3 diamonds.
A diamond to the king is okay. East will return a
club. You rise ace to continue diamonds. Even if
West unblocks the }J, you are still okay.
East can't return a club. That would endplay West
to lead away from the ]K. So East leads a spade.
You hop ace, cross to dummy in hearts to pitch
the {5 on the 13th diamond. Ruff a club then lead
up to dummy's ]Q.
I think some of the defenders may have been
helpful.
Round 4
Seven of 10 bid this slam. Only one took the
spade finesse. "Queen-nine are always doubleton".
Note that if West has ]Qxx and {xxxx, you might
still make by pitching all of dummy's diamonds on
your clubs.
The two pairs who bid 7] here can consider
themselves unlucky. It's a good spot if trumps are
2-1 and a decent shot against 3-0, provided you
don't get over-ruffed in clubs. Sigh.