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It was East’s lucky day
 NORTH’S
3C response was Stayman and East’s double of this bid showed good
values in clubs, suggesting that partner should lead the suit. South
correctly proceeded with his normal response of 3H and North raised to
5H, inviting a slam. With so many aces and kings in his hand, not to
mention the ace of East’s suit, it seemed an obvious raise to the slam
for South. How would you play 6H when West leads the five of clubs to
East’s jack?
 The mirror 4-4-3-2
distribution was a disappointment but South could see one chance of
success. He won the first round of clubs, drew trumps in three rounds,
then played three rounds of spades. His next move was to cash the ace
and king of diamonds, in the hope that East had started with only two
cards in the suit. Finally, he exited with a club to dummy’s 10. It
was his lucky day! East had to win the trick, as expected, and he had no
diamond to play. The enforced club return gave declarer a
ruff-and-discard and he was able to throw his diamond loser. Twelve
tricks made.
— David Bird
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