Not Enough

5th June – Board 8: Love All. Dealer West.

Several South failed to realize the full potential of their hand from last Thursday’s competition and as a result an easy slam was lost.

	North: S A K 7 2 H 9 7 D A K Q 5 C A J 5
West: S J 6 4 H 10 8 4 2 D 7 3 C 9 4 3 2		East: S Q 10 5 3 H K J 5 D 10 2 C Q 10 7 6
	South: S 9 8 H A Q 6 3 D J 9 8 6 4 C K 8

West	North	East	South
No	2NT	No	3C
No	3D	No	3S
No	3NT	No	4D
No	4S	No	5C
No	5S	No	6D
End

North shows 21-22 high card points and South makes a five-card major suit enquiry. North denies having one and South bids 3S to deny holding four spades but admitting to holding four hearts. When North signs off in 3NT South is worth another go and can bid 4D, forcing of course and with the hope of better things. If North had no interest in diamonds he could sign of in 4NT – NOT Blackwood!! – but as it happens he can cue-bid in support of diamonds. 5C is a reciprocal cue-bid from South and if that seems strange North has to realise that his partner may only be showing second round control. (Indeed if South held a singleton club and another spade (say), the slam would still be on a finesse.) 5S is a grand slam try because South’s hand is unlimited but only now has South done enough and he signs off in 6D. With the heart finesse right and trumps breaking 2-2 all thirteen tricks will be made.