An Extra Chance

Slam was reached on this deal from a recent practice session. North’s 3 bid was a Jacoby transfer, and the subsequent raise to 4 showed slam interest. (To sign off in 4 North would use a Texas transfer instead.) As South I liked my hand so I checked for key cards with Blackwood and bid the slam.

East deals	J 10 9 8 4 2		West	North	East	South
Both vul	7				Pass	2
	8 6 5 2		Pass	2	Pass	2 NT
	A 7		Pass	3	Pass	3
K		6 5 3	Pass	4	Pass	4 NT
Q 8 6 4		J 5 3 2	Pass	5	Pass	6
Q J 9		7 4 3	All Pass
Q 10 9 5 3		J 6 2
	A Q 7
	A K 10 9
	A K 10
6 South	K 8 4

West chose a deceptive lead of the J, figuring it would not matter to his partner. I was suspicious of this as I won the ace, but I surely would have played East for the Q if I needed it.

With 11 easy tricks the contract appeared to depend on a finesse in spades or diamonds, but there was an extra chance. I cashed the A-K then ruffed a club with the 8. Next came the J for a finesse, losing to West. (Yes, I lose to singleton kings too.)

The elimination play in clubs now paid off as West faced an awkward predicament. In practice he led a low heart to the jack, ace; then I drew trumps, cashed the K and led the 10 which West covered and I ruffed. This set up the 9 as my 12th trick.

Curiously, there was one safe lead by West when he won the K. Do you see it? It’s a very unusual play. To beat the contract he must lead the Q!

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© 1998 Richard Pavlicek