Timing is Everything

Hand of the Week

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

Partner’s “thoughtful” 3 bid has led to a dubious venture. How do you plan to keep him happy when West leads the7?

Solution

Assuming the trumps are 3-2, you have 10 winners along with some severe entry problems. You have to hope the full deal is similar to this:

North
♠ K 10 9 8 5
K 5
10 4
♣ 10 8 4 3
West
♠ Q 6
8 7 2
J 9 7
♣ K J 9 7 6
East
♠ J 7 4 3 2
J 6
K 6 5 3 2
♣ 5
South
♠ A
A Q 10 9 4 3
A Q 8
♣ A Q 2

The first move should be to rise with dummy’s king of trumps. The second is to take the diamond finesse. When that holds you are almost home. Cash the ♠A and A, then ruff a diamond. After discarding the ♣2 on the ♠K, cross to hand with the ♣A (you didn’t take the club finesse did you?) and draw the trumps. All you lose is a club.

Now is the time to thank partner for his “helpful” 3 bid – after all, you would never have driven to a heart slam without it!