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East dealer.
Both sides vulnerable.
NORTH
[S] A K Q 6
[H] 5 3
[D] 6 3 2
[C] J 10 8 7
WEST
[S] 10 9 8 7
[H] 7 4 2
[D] K 10 8 5
[C] 9 4
EAST
[S] 4 2
[H] 9 6
[D] J 9
[C] A K Q 6 5 3 2
SOUTH
[S] J 5 3
[H] A K Q J 10 8
[D] A Q 7 4
[C] —
The bidding:
East South West North
1 [C] Dble Pass 2 [S]
Pass 6 [H]
Opening lead — nine of clubs.
Most members of the club thought that Sylvia was the worst player they’d ever seen. They not only thought so but, on occasion, vehemently told her so — especially after a particularly shattering experience with or against her.
Every once in a while, though, either because of the bizarre workings of her mind, or because of a fortuitous indiscretion on her part, Sylvia would perform a veritable miracle, word of which would spread through the club like wildfire.
This deal occurred early in Sylvia’s career. She was in six hearts and covered West’s nine-of-clubs lead with dummy’s ten. Sylvia ruffed East’s queen, drew trump, crossed to the queen of spades and led the jack of clubs.
Sylvia ruffed East’s king, played a spade to the king and led the eight of clubs. East covered with the ace, establishing dummy’s seven, and Sylvia ruffed with her last trump, producing this position:
North
[S] A 6
[D] 6 3
[C] 7
West East
[S] 10 7 [D] J 9
[D] K 10 8 [C] 6 5 3
South
[S] J
[D] A Q 7 4
Sylvia now overtook the jack of spades with dummy’s ace, cashed the club seven, discarding a diamond, and tried to cash the spade six, on which she discarded a second diamond. (West had cleverly played the 8-9-10 on the three previous spade leads.) West took the six with the seven, momentarily causing Sylvia great anguish.
However, West then had to return a diamond into the A-Q, handing Sylvia the slam. Subsequent analysis showed that her method of play was the only way to make the contract.
Tomorrow: Bidding quiz.
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