e-Vil Files 01

Before we launch into this new series featuring Evil Acol, I am sure that all readers will enjoy a repeat of this amazing deal from X-Clubs. It actually occurred about a year ago but of course the bidding and play never went according to the story as I have written it, but nevertheless it is an amazing deal, because, for the story to come to life, the play involves four Ace-King plays where the ace and king are played at the same trick, and the deepest possible finesse needs to be taken at trick two. A grand slam that can be made when one opponent holds K1082 in the trump suit as well as an opening bid!

Dealer E NS Vul

	A62 9754 QJ AQ87
J9743 7632 J532		QT85 KT82 KT95 K
	K AQJ63 A84 T964

East opened the bidding with 1D. Not everyone’s idea of an opening bid but after all EW weren’t vulnerable. South had a very healthy overcall and bid 1H. West continued the aggressive non-vulnerable bidding with 1S. North had his full values and bid 4H. East bid 4S despite his great heart cards. After two passes, North bid 5H. This was music to East’s ears and he couldn’t get the double out fast enough. West, however, was so ashamed of his first bid of 1S, he quickly retreated and bid 5S. North was now so enraged with the proceedings, he bid 6H! East started counting in two and three hundreds and doubled once more. There was no further bidding, though I wouldn’t have been surprised if someone hadn’t redoubled in keeping with the spirit of the auction.

West started the defence with a very orthodox lead, the four of spades. Declarer, somewhat traumatised by the events, nevertheless managed to steady himself and after taking stock, called for dummy’s ace, on which he had to drop his singleton king. The EW pair continued to lick their lips, convinced that South had lost the plot. Declarer next called for dummmy’s four of hearts, and when East produced the two, followed from his own hand with the three! West showed out.

Next, still in dummy, declarer led the jack of diamonds, which held when East followed with the five. Now, a second heart finesse followed, the five to the jack. The ace of diamonds followed, East sportingly contributing the king, why not since the 109 were both good. A diamond ruff in dummy was then followed by another unusual, but crucial, play: declarer now laid down the ace of clubs! East’s king fell and when declarer cleared trumps via yet another finesse, he was able to run the ten of clubs to pick up West’s jack. Four Ace on King plays and yes, the grand slam can still be made if East covers the first trump.

Replay this board by clicking here.