Both vulnerable. South deals.
NORTH
S-K J
H-K Q 8 5
D-A 5 3 2
C-8 4 2
WEST EAST
S-10 4 2 S-9 8 7 6 5 3
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H-6 4 H-J 2
D-J 10 9 4 D-7 6
C-K 6 5 3 C-J 10 9
SOUTH
S-A Q
H-A 10 9 7 3
D-K Q 8
C-A Q 7
The bidding:
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
2NT Pass 3C Pass
3H Pass 6H Pass
Pass Pass
Opening lead: Jack of D
This deal is from Bracket III of the Weekend Knockout Teams at the recent ACBL Summer North American Championships in Philadelphia.
North’s three clubs was Puppet Stayman, three hearts promised a five-card suit and North needed to hear no more. Slam was reached in short order.
Declarer won the diamond lead in hand, drew trumps in two rounds and set about guarding against a second club loser should the finesse fail. The spades were cashed, and declarer continued by cashing another diamond and then leading a diamond to the ace. When East showed out, declarer led another diamond, discarding a club from hand. No matter what West returned, declarer’s club loser would vanish. Try it.
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