BRIDGE

A Slip

South won in hand, continued with a club to the king and rode the jack of spades to the queen. West exited safely with a heart but the 5-1 spade break doomed the slam and the contract was down one.

Declarer should have led a low spade towards dummy's jack as the best way to build a third spade winner. This play will be effective whenever West owns the queen and there will still be chances when East tops the jack with the queen. Spades could break 3-3 or the ten might drop doubleton.

West will rise with the queen and, when the jack of clubs appears in two rounds, declarer will emerge with twelve tricks and the slam bonus.

South had either miscounted his hand (19 HCP) or upgraded his collection to open 2NT (2021 HCP).

North employed Puppet Stayman to inquire whether partner owned a four or fivecard major. North rocketed into 6NT when partner disclosed five spades. Slam was a high percentage contract where a diamond lead would present declarer with a second winner in that suit.

Unfortunately, declarer's misplay of the spade suit had cost him the contract.

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

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