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This ‘slam’ hand was played at X-Clubs on a recent Friday. I say ‘slam’ because I believe that in most first grade club sessions a slam should be bid at least half the time. Alas, not even close, and when it was bid, hardly ever made. 6S is the slam that I would be bidding but unfortunately, it does not make if the defence know how to defend, though there is a subtle way that 6S could be made if declarer can see all the cards, as can Deep Finesse. But DF can never get defenders to go wrong, and can only play assuming every player plays and defends perfectly. As the cards lie, perfect play means that 6NT can be made and 6S can not. But read on!

Board 18 from Friday 21/06/24
Dealer East NS Vul

	JT5 QJT2 K42 T72
Q842 87 QJT93 Q9		6 96543 876 J863
	AK973 AK A5 AK54

Now for the amazing ‘repeat’ of history. It is said that one learns from history but it seems that few of our readers who have had this almost identical situation have done so. Let me then relate the latest repeat of history.

This chapter, and it will take another one (Ch17) to fully cover both topics, is about COMMUNICATION and DECEPTION. You need to be able to communicate fully with partner on defence, which is why the opening lead and signalling are so important. You also need to be able to deceive the defenders, when necessary, when you are declarer and see that the defenders are on the right track. Legitimate communication between defenders is vital, and misleading the defence by declarer is also necessary some of the time, so try and learn how to be dishonest (well, let’s just say ‘sneaky’) when declarer, and to see through declarer’s lies when you are defending. If you are a good pair of defenders, nothing declarer can do will steer you away from the best defence. But if you are declarer, you can use some tricks of play to lead them astray. Legitimate dishonesty is, after all, part of the art of bridge play. Let’s see how all this might work in practice, using this very interesting deal from just a few days ago.

Dealer East EW Vul

	T9853 A5 AK7 J64
AJ642 64 652 KQ9		KQ KQJT832 3 A32
	7 97 QJT984 T875

Here is the second one from Tuesday 11th. This time, a standard transfer sequence when the weak No Trump opener is playing in a trump contract. Nothing too different but South will be leading through the weaker hand. Should that make any difference in your approach? Well, a little bit anyway, since you will be leading through weakness and round to strength, if indeed there is any difference. Dummy of course will have the long trump suit.

Board 24 from Tuesday 11/06/24
Dealer West Nil Vul

	KJT 98 964 A5432
62 QT754 KT7 KJ9		AQ95 K62 A32 T86
	8743 AJ3 QJ85 Q7

South	West	North	East
Pass	Pass	1NT	Pass
2	Pass	2	Pass
Pass	Pass

The next opening lead problem received unanimous votes for the queen of hearts but there is a story to go with that, from a long time ago when I discovered a rule I have given myself and followed ever since this particular deal was played, when I was declarer and received that very same unanimous heart lead against a pathetic 1S contract bid exactly this way.

1.The bidding has been:
Dealer South, NS Vul

South	West	North	East
1	Pass	1	Pass
1	Pass	Pass	Pass

J92

QJT4

KJ72

72

I would now like to revisit Chapter 9 and take another look at problem b) because another look will open our eyes to the need to THINK as well as not jump to conclusions, and that goes both for the defenders and declarer.

b) Dealer East, All Vul
The bidding has been:

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1NT
X	2	X	Pass
3NT	Pass	Pass	Pass

J92

T7632

4

J543

Your lead?