This was a beautifully bid grand slam. South, with the help of Key Card Blackwood, knew every card in North’s hand except, possibly, the jack of spades. That card would make 13 tricks a breeze, but even without it, 12 tricks would depend on nothing more than the expected 3-2 split in spades. South won…
Today’s deal was played some years ago in Marbella, Spain. South was Sydney Mathews, an American who had lived in Marbella for many years. Mathews was 100 years old at the time this deal was played, starting his second century of life. The deal was played in a pairs competition where overtricks are very important….
South’s jump shift created a game force, so North’s three spade bid was stronger than a four-spade bid would have been. South used Key Card Blackwood and settled for a small slam when he learned that the queen of spades was missing. How would you play this slam after a diamond lead? Many would win…
Today’s deal is from a major championship some years ago. South was American expert Fred Hamilton. North’s raise was limited by his failure to bid three hearts, which would have shown a raise with at least invitational values. The actual three-spade bid was a weaker raise. East won the opening diamond lead with the ace…
