Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell, Dec 08, 2006

The bidding

After North shows Spade support, South is interested in slam. South cue bids the Club Ace, and when North cue bids the Diamond Ace, away South goes.

The play

South wins the opening lead and hopes he can set up the Hearts for Club discards. So, Spade King and a Spade to the Ace. Heart ruff, Diamond to the Ace, Heart ruff. The Heart King does not fall, so the Hearts are useless. What now? Yes, there is still one trump out.

Leave it alone. It cannot hurt you. You have two Club losers. Play a Diamond to the Ace and ruff a Heart. Now play the top two Diamonds, discarding Clubs from dummy. If East trumps either of the Diamonds, you can trump a Club in dummy, and discard the other Club on the last Heart. If East does not trump, Play the Ace of Clubs, and trump a Club in dummy. That is 12 tricks. The opponents get their trump trick and their Club trick, but they are condensed into one trick!

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