Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell 

The bidding 

There are other ways to show the North hand, but if you are not playing any fancy systems, this is the easiest way. It shows Heart support and 12-15 points. South decides to try for a slam, checking for Aces with Blackwood, and settling into the small slam. This is another very aggressive slam that I don't recommend. 



The play

At trick one, East plays the Spade Queen. The trumps are 2-2. Can you find the sure-fire way to make this?

Win the Spade lead and pull trump. Play three rounds of Diamonds, discarding the Spade Jack from your hand. Trump dummy's Spade in your hand. Now lead a low Club and, if West plays low, put in the 10. If Clubs started out being 3-2, all your Clubs are now good. If Clubs are 4-1 and East wins with a singleton Queen or Jack, he must lead a Diamond or Spade, giving you a ruff/sluff, which eliminates your Club loser. If East wins the Club and started with four, he is end-played. If East leads a low Club, you put in the 8. If East leads a high Club, win it with the King in dummy, and you will be able to finesse East for his other high Club. Try it.


Questions: email me at gary@smabridge.com 
Lessons: Call 152-6351.