An 8-Card Suit

Opening Lead: Seven of clubs

The Question: “What do you call an 8-card suit?”

The Answer: “Trump!”

Most of the time, an 8-card suit should be trump. Lynne Paasch and Andy Hesser thought otherwise! So did Marilyn Hesser and Jane Hunt. The other pairs boldly jumped to game in hearts, and ended up second best.

The Bidding: North’s 2C bid was artificial and game forcing. South continued to describe his hand and North finally supported spades. South cue-bid his diamond ace, which denied a club control. North had first and second round control in clubs and bid the slam.

The Play: Six spades can be defeated with perfect defense, but perfect defense is hard to find on this deal (or most deals) and the contract was made. Those that played in hearts did not fare as well. The limit of the hand is five hearts or five spades with best play and defense. The defense against hearts is easy. West need only wait and get his two trump tricks. Against 6S, declarer took the ace of clubs and led a diamond for a finesse. He then ruffed a diamond, sluffed his last club on the ace of hearts and played the king of hearts. East must either discard a club or ruff with the queen of spades. Most defenders will ruff with a small spade and the contract cannot now be defeated. Declarer wins with the ten, pulls trump and gives up a diamond, making six.

This story was originally published July 6, 2016 at 12:03 PM with the headline "An 8-Card Suit."