Hand of the Fortnight

Number 7

Theme:   Leading a trump against a slam contract

South is Dealer. The bidding has gone:

                                                S                      W                    N                     E

                                                1D                   /                  1H?              /

                                      2H               /                  4NT*            /

                                      5H**            /                  5NT#             /

                                      6C##            /                  6H               /

                                      /                  //

?:        Some may prefer/use 2H

*:         Roman Key Card Blackwood (asking for Aces and Trump King)

**:       2 Key Cards but No trump Queen

#:        Asking for other Kings                                             ##:      0 other Kings

The 4 hands are:                                          N

                                                            S:    A J 2

                                                            H:   A Q J T 4 3

                                                            D:   K T

                                                            C:   A 8

                        W                                                                                            E

            S:   T 8 7 4                                                                              S:   K 9 5 3

            H:   8                                                                                       H:   7 2

            D:   Q 8 7 5 3                                                                          D:   9 6

            C:   T 4 2                                                                                 C:   K 9 7 5 3

                                                                        S

                                                            S:   Q 6

                                                            H:   K 9 6 5

                                                            D:   A J 4 2

                                                            C:   Q J 6

Main Points:

1)      North hasn’t (theoretically) over-bid. If South had CK instead of CQ or SK instead of SQ,

            the contract makes.

2)      A Club lead gives North 2 Club tricks, 2 Diamonds, 6 Hearts and 2 Spades. After trying the

 (failing) Spade finesse, the 3rd Club is pitched on a Spade. Likewise a Spade lead = 12 tricks.

3)      If Declarer tries the Spade finesse first, send back a Spade not a Club.

            “          “          “     “  Club     “          “          “     “    “ Club not a Spade.

4)      The other advantage of leading a trump is that declarer may need to use

            the trumps to remove outside suit(s) losers. This especially applies when

            2 outside suits have been bid. e.g.

                        1D       /        1H      /

                   1S      /        3S        etc.

Extra Point:

            Here East can be end-played but to not try 1 finesse is usually a low % play.

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