Another No Trumper

	A K Q 10 4
	Q 5
	A 10 9 5 3
	6
8 5 3 2		9 6

K 3		9 8 7 2
8 2		J 7 6
Q J 8 4 3		K 10 5 2
	J 7
	A J 10 6 4
	K Q 4
	A 9 7	Vul: Both

This hand was bid to slam in every denomination but clubs. Well, first I'll start with a bit of scoring: Six diamonds brought 65% (I'm skipping decimals here), six spades brought 82, and 6 no 93. The third best contract brought an above average score because a lot of people weren't in slam at all. Six hearts (not played well and down one) tied with 7 diamonds for a little over 1%. Three no plus 7 brought 50% exactly. Four declarers did that. So there was less disparity between those who brought home 13 tricks in 3 no and the inferior 6 diamonds than between 6 diamonds and 6 spades.

How did anyone make 13 tricks? I printed out one hand. It seems declarer sluffed the nine of clubs on the king of spades, eschewed the heart hook, sluffing hearts on the long spades and diamonds, and took the last trick with the 7 of clubs. West isn't truly squeezed, since he's discarding after declarer on the long diamonds. However, he doesn't have a count on hearts, since his partner has been hoarding his! East's last four cards were his four hearts from the bottom. It seems "self-evident" that his 9 of hearts won't be a player here in no trump, but I guess that isn't so easy to see as declarer runs his spades, sluffing first a club. But then, his next two discards were hearts. I dunno.

The lone player in 6 hearts took the club opening lead, ruffed a club, came to the queen of diamonds, ruffed a club, came to the jack of spades, and laid down the ace, then 10 of hearts. It's obvious that he would have to lose a second trick to the 9 of hearts. Yesterday, I called it a valiant effort, but today, I think I was too kind by half.

For starters, declarer shouldn't be ruffing his clubs, for it should be clear the low ones can go on dummy's long spades and diamonds. Indeed, a simple count should bring 5 spades, 5 diamonds and two aces, with the possibility of a 13th trick on a successful heart finesse. Or in other words, it's something close to a dummy reversal, though in a heart contract, you've gotta take care of that suit first. So have a go at it, eh mate?