The Dispatch – Dec 14, 2004
Play at your own pace. Some declarers can quicken the tempo of a hand in an attempt to gain an advantage.
This classic dates back to the early days of contract bridge. At the helm was the great R Hal Sims in an attempt to reach a possible grand slam. Sims cuebid his spade void after partners forcing raise in hearts. He regretted this when partner elected to jump to 6
, for reasons unknown.
East doubled — a greedy decision since he did not want to drive the opponents to any other contract that he might not be able to beat. He rued his action when Sims retreated to 6NT, which was unbeatable. However, North decided to bid the grand slam and East was delighted to double again. Not surprisingly. West did not look any further than spades for an opening lead.
Lead: 8
Sims could count 12 tricks but there was no 13th in sight on any legitimate line. Seemingly unfazed he took the ace and king of spades, discarding two diamonds, then took five clubs, discarding a spade and a diamond from dummy.
Next, the ace of hearts was led, declarer «carelessly» playing dummy’s four, the jack of hearts was overtaken with the queen, and hearts were played from the top in rapid order. With two tricks to be played, the jack of spades and three of hearts remained on the board.
East held the queen of spades and ace of diamonds and South had the king of diamonds and deuce of hearts. Sims led the three of hearts, and East could not remember what heart South still held. After some moments trying to recall East decided that declarer «had to hold» a higher heart and discarded the queen of spades.
The three of hearts held the trick and the jack of spades was the fulfilling trick! Seven no trump doubled and made!