Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell (May 26, 2006)

The bidding

What is there to explain? South got very excited, found out North had an Ace and bid the grand slam. Silly? Of course!

The play

The key to this hand is to understand what you need to happen in order to make your contract. First, Hearts must be 3-3 or 4-2. Second, you need the Diamond Queen to fall under your Ace-King (to be doubleton). So, discard a Spade from dummy and win the Club lead in your hand. Then, play a Heart to dummy. Now return to your hand to finish pulling trump. 
How did you get back to your hand? With a Spade? Then score a plus for the opponents, you are down one. You must return to your hand with a Diamond. Why? You need Diamonds 3-2 with the Queen falling; therefore, Diamonds are safe, whereas Spades are not.

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