31st July 2019

Another deal from the President's Cup.
Dealer N Love All.

S J86
H A10763
D AJ8
C 106
   


   
S AK103
H KJ84
D K3
C AK7

South
West
North
East


Pass
Pass
2C Pass
2D Pass
2NT
Pass
3D Pass
4H Pass
6H Pass
Pass Pass


South's (Royce Alexander) sequence showed 22-23 points (he upgraded because of the good controls and both majors), North then transferred to hearts and when South showed a super fit North jumped to slam.

West led the ten of diamonds, how do you play?

Solution

This is a textbook hand.  Declarer covered with the jack, East played the queen and South won.  Now a heart to the ace, ace of diamonds ruff a diamond and two top clubs followed by a club ruff eliminated the minors.  Now a heart from dummy and when East followed South finessed the heart jack.  If West won he would have to play a spade to give declarer three spade tricks, or if East initially held three hearts, then there would be no heart loser.

An improvement on this play is possible.  South could have finessed the diamond eight at trick two and then eliminated clubs.  Then he would have made the contract even if West had three hearts as he could throw West in with the third heart, while still having enough trumps for the ruff and discard.

Thanks to Royce Alexander for reporting this deal.