Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell July 28, 2006

The bidding

South’s jump to four Diamonds shows a second suit and a hand interested in slam. North, who shares South’s slam interest, next cue bids her Heart honor so South can bid five or six Spades.

Today’s questions are: 1) How do you play this in five Spades? and 2) How do you play this in six Spades?


The play

In five Spades: Win the opening lead and play Ace and another Diamond. You can afford to have one of your Diamond ruffs in dummy over ruffed and still make five. If you play even one trump first, you fail the test. If East over ruffs dummy and leads another Spade, you are stranded with a Diamond loser.

In six Spades: Win the opening lead and duck a Diamond all around. Whatever they return, win and play one round of trumps. Then try to trump Diamonds in dummy. This play protects against being over ruffed by a singleton 10 of Spades. 

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