Stumbling Blocks?

Hand of the Week

Dlr:
South
VUL:
E-W
North
♠ 8
7 5 3
A 10 8 5
♣ A K Q J 10

South
♠ A 9 3
K 8
K Q 7 4 3
♣ 9 4 2

West North East South
1
2(1) 3 4♠ Pass
Pass 5♣ Pass 6
All Pass

(1) Promising at least 5-5 in the majors.

West leads the ♠K against your slam. What is your plan to make 12 tricks?

Solution

You expect to make five clubs, five trumps, the ♠A and a spade ruff. The only worry is a 4-0 trump break (West cannot have four diamonds). As you expect West to hold the A and entries to your hand are few, a little care is needed when the full deal is:

Dlr:
South
VUL:
E-W
North
♠ 8
7 5 3
A 10 8 5
♣ A K Q J 10
West
♠ K Q 10 7 6
A J 10 9 4
♣ 8 6 3
East
♠ J 5 4 2
Q 6 2
J 9 6 2
♣ 7 5
South
♠ A 9 3
K 8
K Q 7 4 3
♣ 9 4 2

After taking the ♠K with the ace, you should ruff a spade with the eight of trumps. Then, cashing the A, you must continue with the 10. Presumably, East will cover this with the jack. You will take this with the Q, cross back to dummy with a club and pick up East’s remaining trumps by leading the 5 and covering East’s card. Then, after drawing the last trump, you will have your 12 tricks.