X-Clubs Play_09
This very interesting deal comes from Wednesday 24/11/2021.
Board 7 Dealer S All Vul
| ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||
|
What would you open with the West hand? A decent 21 count with every suit stopped, but not balanced, would you still open 2NT? Or would you open 2C and effectively force to game? Or maybe just 1C, the hand isn’t really a 2C game force opening bid is it? My preference is for 2NT, after which East should transfer to spades and then bid 4H, which West will have to convert to 4S.
The interesting bit with this deal is the declarer play. In 4S by West, some Norths led a low heart and declarer still failed to make twelve tricks, though all that was necessary was to set up East’s hearts after South played the king and declarer won the ace. Even the club finesse works if needed so hard to see why so many of the declarers in 4S, be it East or West, failed to make twelve tricks. But let’s say that you are West and somehow, either thanks to an over optimistic partner or bidding misunderstanding (or both), have landed in 7S and North has led a low heart.
As it happens, 7S is the easiest contract to make, because declarer has no choice in how to play it if he is to succeed. Nothing to lose, is there? Declarer draws three rounds of trumps, and they break! First obstacle cleared. Now a club finesse followed by ace and another, ruffed. A second suit breaks! Now there are two more tricks, adding to ten! Only three more required, and diamonds is all you have left to play on. A diamond finesse, plus the ace and king bring your ridiculous grand slam home. Yes indeed, sometimes grand slams are much easier to play than small slams or even games and part scores. Replay this board by clicking here.
Question:
Match Points, dealer West, All Vul
| South | West | North | East |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | Pass | 1 | Pass |
2 | Pass | 3 | Pass |
| ? |
Sitting South you hold:
| 95 |
| AQT64 |
 T7 |
| AJT3 |
Your bid?
