a red herring

h K 10 4

b A Q 9 2

f A Q J 4

d A 5

N

W E

S

h 9

b K 4

f K 10 8 7 6 5 3

d Q 9 2

Source: Ted Horning

Dealer: N

Vul: Both

W	N	E	S
	2NT	P	4d
P	4NT	P	6f
P	P	P

Opening Lead: d6

Contract: 6f

As South, you must be pleased to see such a nice dummy. All you have to do is make the contract. Now, over to you.

	h K 10 4
	b A Q 9 2
	f A Q J 4
	d A 5
h Q 8 7 6 3	N W E S	h A J 5 2
b 8 7 3		b J 10 6 5
f 9		f 2
d K 10 7 6		d J 8 4 3
	h 9
	b K 4
	f K 10 8 7 6 5 3
	d Q 9 2

If you played the dA because people don’t lead away from kings against a slam contract, you have perpetrated a classic – making the winning play for the wrong reason.

If you won all thirteen tricks by playing a low club at trick one, I suggest that you tell anyone who asks that you only made twelve tricks. The play of a low club at trick one risked 1370 points, to possibly gain 20 points for an overtrick.

The fact of the matter is that the slam is cold as long as you do not lose two tricks, and the only way that South might lose two tricks is by playing a low club at trick one.

Consider the alternative and correct play of the dA. You will not make seven but after drawing trumps, the bK can be played and then a low heart to dummy’s queen. South’s singleton spade is then discarded on the bA. Because of those excess diamonds in the dummy, a club can now be conceded and South’s last club trumped in the dummy.

The dQ in the South hand was just a test. Clearly, the winning play after a club lead would be automatic if the if the South hand had three small clubs. It is the wrong colour, but the dQ is just a red herring.

February 2012 (Bridge Calendar 1997)