A partial elimination.
Bridge Column for December 31, 2000, By HARVEY BERNSTEIN
Neither side vulnerable.  South deals.
                              NORTH
                              S: J 8 7 5 3        
                              H: 10 9 4      
                              D: A K         
                              C: A 5 3   
            WEST                             EAST
            S: K 9 4                         S: Q 6          
            H: 3                             H: 7 5 2      
            D: Q 10 6 4 2                    D: 9 5 3             
            C: J 10 8 4                      C: K Q 9 6 2   
                              SOUTH                         
                              S: A 10 2 
                              H: A K Q J 8 6 
                              D: J 8 7     
                              C: 7        
          The Bidding://
                  SOUTH    WEST    NORTH    EAST                  
                   1H      Pass     1S      Pass
                   3H      Pass     4C      Pass
                   4S      Pass     6H      Pass
                   Pass    Pass
     The exciting thing about mediocre bidding is that it can get
you to some very interesting contracts.  Today's hand was played
at a local duplicate club.  After South bids three hearts,
showing a six card suit and about 16 points, North should simply
bid four hearts, even though his points are "prime".  Instead, he
cue-bid four clubs.  South showed his three card spade support
and North went directly to the small slam in hearts.
     The opening lead was the four of diamonds.  It was fairly
obvious to declarer that he was going to have tackle the spade
suit to make this contract.  The best way to do that would be to
first try a partial elimination play.  To this end, declarer won
the first trick in dummy and played the ace of clubs and a club,
trumping high in the closed hand.  A diamond back to dummy was
the entry to trump the last club in hand.  The jack of diamonds
was then trumped in the dummy and the ten of hearts was cashed.
     A small spade was led and when East followed with the six,
declarer inserted the ten.  West won the king and was on lead
with the following cards remaining:
                              NORTH
                              S: J 8 7 5           
                              H: 9          
                              D: Void        
                              C: Void    
            WEST                             EAST
            S: 9 4                           S: Q            
            H: Void                          H: 7 5        
            D: Q 10                          D: Void              
            C: J                             C: K Q         
                              SOUTH                         
                              S: A 2    
                              H: Q J 8   
                              D: Void      
                              C: Void
     The lead of either minor suit would allow declarer to trump
in dummy and discard the two of spades from hand.  Interestingly,
if West selects a club, East will have to follow suit which will
allow declarer to lead a spade from dummy, win the ace and claim. 
If West leads a diamond, when declarer trumps in dummy, East can
discard the queen of spades.  Declarer must now trump high in
hand, draw the outstanding trumps and win the last two spade
tricks with the ace and the jack.
     West actually returned the four of spades and declarer had
to guess the spade position.  He played a low spade from dummy
and when the queen fell from East, he was able to draw trumps and
claim.
     I find it incredible that we have reached the end of the
year 2000.  I want to thank all of those who read my column for
their support during the year.  Thank you for the hands you have
passed to me and for all of your kind words and thoughts.  I hope
that 2001 brings you good health and good bridge.  Happy New
Year!        
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