An Excellent Insurance Policy

//An Excellent Insurance Policy

Shardul Mehta (docindoc) and his partner got to a fine grand slam on this deal, and Docindoc took out an insurance policy that won him all 13 tricks.

Dlr: North Vul: E-W

North
S 5 4 3
H Q J 7 4 2
D 10
C K Q 8 4
West
S K 2
H A K 10 9 6 5
D A
C 7 6 5 2
East
S A Q J 10 7
H —
D K Q J 8 6 3
C A 3
South
S 9 8 6
H 8 3
D 9 7 5 4 2
C J 10 9
NorthEastSouthWest
Pass1DPass1H
Pass2SPass3H
Pass3SPass4NT
Pass5SPass5NT
Pass7SAll pass

Docindoc found himself to be the only declarer in 7S. The opening lead was the D7. The contract looked cold unless either spades or diamonds broke badly. He could handle a 5-1 trump split as long as diamonds were no worse than 4-2. He could handle a 5-1 diamond break as long as trumps were no worse than 4-2.

Based on the fact that South led a diamond and North followed with the 10, Docindoc decided South had a long diamond suit and was hoping to give North a ruff. He covered the possibility that South had a diamond stopper by crossing to his hand with the CA and ruffing a diamond with the SK. Then he drew trumps and claimed for a 15-IMP gain.

About the Author:

Harold Schogger has just celebrated 40 years of bridge teaching. He opened his bridge club in Hendon London in 1983. Since 1997 he has devoted his time to teaching and directing.He holds the Professional Teachers’ Diploma from the English Bridge Union, and now trains teachers for the EBU. He is also a member of the International Bridge Press Association. Harold is the author of Practice Your Rule of 11 and the ebook Bridge for Winners.Harold has been an OKbridge member since 1997. You can see his valuable blog posts here under the category Bridge Hand Review. Harold is also a Premier Life Master.

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