Bridge - 15/12/2011

This dealing machine threw up a number of very strong hands in the Senior Trials. This deal proved surprisingly difficult to bid to slam: only Willie Coyle and John Matheson reached 6S.

2C was strong, game-forcing unless opener rebid 2NT. 2D in their style showed fewer than two controls, counting an ace as 2 and a king as one. 2H was the Kokish Convention, either natural or a balanced hand with 24+ points. 2S was a relay, and 2NT confirmed the big balanced hand. Now 3H was a transfer to spades, and 3NT was a transfer break, showing three-card spade support with two of the top three honours. Matheson cuebid his king of clubs, and Coyle cued his ace of diamonds. Matheson’s 4S denied a heart control, but the fact he had made a slam try at all convinced Coyle to bid 6S on the strength of his excellent controls.

West led king of diamonds to dummy’s ace. Declarer saw that he would make slam provided he did not lose to both black suit queens. He combined his chances in the black suits by cashing one top spade, then playing a club to his jack. When that won, the contract was virtually assured. A small spade scooped the queen and there were 13 tricks. If the club finesse had lost, declarer would ruff a diamond to hand to take the spade finesse. The line risks a club ruff, but the contract will probably make if either finesse works.