BRIDGE

With the king of diamonds onside, South lost only the ace of spades, N-S +680. North's negative double revealed four or more hearts but East rocketed into the minor suit game. South advanced to five hearts based upon the massive heart fit and a club void but this action was swiftly passed out.

West would make five clubs, losing only a spade and a diamond trick. This intimates that either West or East should sacrifice at six clubs to finish down one, undoubtedly doubled (-200).

East had adequately described his hand with a leap to the minor suit game and West held sufficient values to believe that five hearts might be defeated. Suppose that East advanced to six clubs as a save. What action would South take? A penalty double holding a club void would hold no appeal. Thus South might indeed try six hearts hoping that partner would display the necessary diamond strength or possibly the ace of spades to make the slam a viable proposition. No pair reached the heart slam but quite a few West players landed in a high level club contract often doubled but sometimes undoubled.

Author: Dave Willis - visit his website at www.insidebridge.ca

Questions on bridge can be sent with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to The New Canadian Bridge c/o Torstar Syndication Services, One Yonge St., Toronto, M5E 1E6.