Bridge - The Scotsman 28/03/13

THIS deal from the Women’s Pairs was a hard luck story for some North-South pairs. One East, whose partnership had narrowed the range of their 2NT opening bid to 20-21, was obliged to open 2C.

West had a good enough spade suit to make a positive response, and when East showed spade support the partnership got a little over-excited. West jumped to 5S, a slam try that, on this occasion, showed a good spade suit and asked if partner had good controls. Since she had already shown a good spade suit with her positive response this should probably show extra length, but the play’s the thing.

North led the three of clubs and declarer saw that there was a lot to do. She rose with the ace of clubs, noting South’s ten, and led a spade to the king. The 4-0 break meant there was even more to do. She took the opportunity to take a heart finesse, and there was still hope when the queen scored. Now she drew the rest of the trump, forcing North had to find four discards. When she threw the two of clubs it looked as if she had led from a five-card suit, so declarer took the club finesse with some confidence. She cashed her third club winner, and returned to hand with a club ruff. All that remained was to take a successful diamond finesse, cash the red aces, and claim twelve tricks.

Requiring three successful finesses makes this a dreadful slam. Those who stayed out of it generally finished higher overall.