Playhand 37

Board 37 South Deals None Vul	♠ A J 5 4 2 ♥ A 8 7 4 ♦ A ♣ Q J 2
♠ 6 3 ♥ 10 9 3 2 ♦ Q 6 3 2 ♣ K 7 5	N W E S	♠ 10 8 7 ♥ J 5 ♦ K 10 9 8 ♣ 10 9 6 4
	♠ K Q 9 ♥ K Q 6 ♦ J 7 5 4 ♣ A 8 3

The biddiung on this hand was expertly done

South playing a 12-15 pt no trump, opened 1NT

The bidding proceeded: S          N

                                      1NT          2♥ a transfer to ♠s

                                       3♥            4 ♠ a maximum with 3 good ♠s

                                      6♠

The contract became 6 ♠   by South ,so can you make 12 trricks?. The lead amazingly was ♣ 5. What is we teach students, "try not to underlead aces or kings  defending a slam"

A fortunate lead, but you need to recognise that the best play is to take 3 ruffs in the long trump suit ( usually you ruff in the shorter trump suit)

So win first trick on dummy and cash ♦A. Play ♠2 to the K,  and ruff a ♦ in dummy.Lead ♠ J then a ♥ to the Q, lead another ♦  and ruff in dummy, then a ♥ to the K, and ruff the last ♦ with the ♠ A. Then a ♣ to your A,  to draw the last trump.

As it happens W is now squeezed in ♣s and ♥s, and so you end up making 13 tricks !!