With Bob Jones
Neither vulnerable. West deals.
NORTH
S-Q 8 7 2
H-K J 7 6 3 2
D-K 10 7
C-Void
WEST EAST
S-K J 9 6 5 4 S-10 3
H-4 H-5
D-J 6 4 2 D-Q 9 8 5
C-10 5 C-A K J 9 8 4
SOUTH
S-A
H-A Q 10 9 8
D-A 3
C-Q 7 6 3 2
The bidding:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
2S Pass Pass 3H
Pass 3S- Pass 4D-
Pass 4H Pass 4S-
Pass 5C- Dbl 5S-
Pass 6C- Dbl 7H
Pass Pass Pass
-Cue bids
Opening lead: 10 of C
Cue-bids can have several meanings, depending on the context. They are especially useful in slam bidding on hands where Blackwood isn’t helpful, as when one partner has a void suit. Today’s hand features a bevy of them.
North’s first cue-bid of three spades merely showed a heart fit in a hand that was too good for a simple four-heart raise. All of the other cue-bids were control-showing bids in an effort to reach six hearts. The auction took a surprising turn when North was able to cue-bid clubs twice. East’s doubles suggested great strength in clubs, so South reasoned that North held either a void in clubs or a singleton ace. South took a bit of a gamble when he leaped to the grand slam, but his gamble was rewarded when the dummy came down. North’s extra trump length made up for any high cards that were missing.
The play was simple. South ruffed the opening club lead in dummy and led a trump to his ace. Another club was ruffed on the table, followed by the ace and king of diamonds. South claimed the balance on a cross-ruff. Well bid!
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