North-South vulnerable. South deals. North S: A 9 5 H: 9 7 6 5 D: 10 9 7 3 C: Q 10 West East S: 8 7 2 S: J 10 H: 8 3 2 H: Q 10 4 D: K J 8 2 D: A Q 6 5 4 C: J 8 7 C: 6 3 2 South S: K Q 6 4 3 H: A K J D: Void C: A K 9 5 4 The Bidding: South West North East 1S Pass 2S Pass 3C Pass 4S Pass 6S Pass Pass Pass Opening lead: 2S South opened one spade because of the problems that go along with opening a two suiter with a two club bid. North raised to two spades and South made a game try of three clubs. North was Mort Pierce of Chagrin Falls and he did a great job of evaluating his hand after South's game try. He only had six points but they were all in the two suits bid by his partner so he accepted by bidding four spades. South's game try was really a slam try and when Pierce was able to raise to game, South bid the small slam. The opening lead was the two of spades. This came around to the king. Declarer played the ace of hearts just to see what cards were played. The queen of spades was next and both defenders followed suit. A small spade to the ace pulled the last trump. Declarer used this entry to the dummy to take the heart finesse. If this finesse failed, clubs would have to behave. When the heart jack won the trick, any club holding other than 6-0 or 5-1 would work. As the hand sits, clubs are 3- 3 and declarer makes an overtrick. This hand was worth 11.5 matchpoints on a 12 top. Most pairs were bidding four and making six or seven. Try to remember that it is not always how many points you have when responding to a game try. Often, where those points are and what distribution you have is just as important. _______________________________________________________