Going for the Fences

Dlr:
South
Vul
N-S
North
♠ A Q 8 7 5
6 4
A
♣ A K 10 9 3
South
♠ K J 9 4 2
A Q 9
Q 9 8 7 3
♣ —
West North East South
1♠
2♠(1) 3(2) Pass 4♠
Pass 5♣ Pass 5
Pass 7♠ All Pass

1. At least 5-5 in hearts and a minor
2. Good spade raise

This board occurred in a team match where you and partner felt you were in need of a swing. were in need of a swing. Accordingly, North, your partner, punted the grand slam when you showed a first-round heart control by bidding 5.

West leads the ♠6. What is your plan to take every trick?

Solution

Declarer took the opening lead with the ♠J and drew the remaining trump with a spade to dummy’s ace. Next he cashed the A, followed by the ♣A and ♣K, throwing the Q and 9 from hand. A club ruff confirmed that West had started with 1=5=5=2 shape. So, declarer led the Q. West covered this with the king, which cheered up declarer, because otherwise he would have been in the rather nervous position of having to discard a club or a heart. Declarer ruffed in dummy, ruffed a club back to hand and led a confident 9. West covered with the 10 and this was ruffed in dummy. After a second club ruff to get back to hand declarer led the 8. West covered this with the jack and, after ruffing this in dummy, declarer claimed his contract: he made five trumps, one heart, two diamonds, three diamond ruffs and two clubs. The full deal:

Dlr:
South
Vul
None
North
♠ A Q 8 7 5
6 4
A
♣ A K 10 9 3
West
♠ 6
K J 10 8 3
K J 10 6 2
♣ 5 2
East
♠ 10 3
7 5 2
5 4
♣ Q J 8 7 6 4
South
♠ K J 9 4 2
A Q 9
Q 9 8 7 3
♣ —