Monday afternoon March 24, 2008
Board 7
South Deals Both Vul | ♠ A K Q J 8 5 ♥ K Q 6 5 ♦ — ♣ A 10 3 | ||||||||||
♠ 9 6
♥ J ♦ A K J 6 5 3 2 ♣ J 7 6 |
| ♠ 7 4 2
♥ A 9 4 3 2 ♦ 9 8 4 ♣ 9 2 | |||||||||
| ♠ 10 3 ♥ 10 8 7 ♦ Q 10 7 ♣ K Q 8 5 4 |
| West | North | East | South |
| Pass | |||
| 3 ♦ | 4 NT | Pass | 5 ♣ |
| Pass | 6 ♠ | All pass |
| 6 ♠ by North |
| Made 6 — +1430 |
Lead: nine of diamonds
Yikes. How many clues does East need NOT to lead a diamond but the ace of hearts instead? Declarer asked for aces, got a zero response, but went to slam anyway. Partner has seven diamonds and you have three. Is it possible declarer is out of diamonds? The contract should go down one before declarer can take a breath.
Monday afternoon March 24, 2008
Board 19
South Deals E-W Vul | ♠ 9 5 2 ♥ A 3 ♦ K Q 10 2 ♣ A Q J 3 | ||||||||||
♠ Q 8 7 6 4
♥ 10 9 4 ♦ 6 3 ♣ 9 5 4 |
| ♠ K J 3
♥ K J 8 5 ♦ J 4 ♣ 8 7 6 2 | |||||||||
| ♠ A 10 ♥ Q 7 6 2 ♦ A 9 8 7 5 ♣ K 10 |
| West | North | East | South |
| 1 ♦ | |||
| Pass | 2 NT | Pass | 3 NT |
| Pass | 4 ♦ | Pass | 4 NT |
| Pass | 5 ♥ | Pass | 6 ♦ |
| All pass |
| 6 ♦ by South |
| Made 6 — +920 |
Lead: ten of hearts
The proper play--in order to eliminate an early ruff--is to win the heart with the ace, draw trumps in two rounds, sluff a spade and a heart in hand and concede a heart.