Why is this so hard?

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rod
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Why is this so hard?

Post by rod »

This is from Saturday's Coffs Harbour club game. Matchpoints, opponents vulnerable, partner opens 1♠ in second seat, RHO passes and you hold:

♠ K98
AK73
K3
♣ KQJ2

The first thing you might notice is that if partner has three Aces and the Queen of spades, you can probably take 13 tricks. Missing one of those, 12 tricks.

So it's reasonable to start with 4NT, Key Card Blackwood. Partner will then bid 5 showing 0 or 3 key cards. Obviously 3 in this case. Then you can bid 5 to inquire about the ♠Q and partner will bid 5♠ to deny it.

The second thing to notice is that you'll take the same number of tricks in notrump as in spades. Four spades, two hearts, two diamonds, four clubs. No ruffs required. 6NT is clearly the right call.

Remarkably, this simple counting exercise gets you a cold top. Of the six players holding these cards, four ended in 6♠ and the other two were not in slam at all.
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