Big Trouble In Little China

Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday May 20, 2008

Ron Klinger

The WU team from China was a little timid on some slam deals from the final of

the Gold Coast Congress Open Teams.

Had they bid both the slams below, the result would have been reversed.

Bd. 2: East dealer : N-S vulnerable

West North East South

Marston Liu McCallum Shao

--- --- 3C 3H

Pass 4C (1) Pass 4H

Pass Pass Pass

(1) Strong heart raise Lead: C10

Twelve tricks were easy for +680.

What went wrong for North-South?

You can see why South was not keen to look for slam with that pathetic trump

suit. A question for all partnerships: Is South obliged to cue-bid a diamond

control over 4C? If so, 4H denies diamond control and North's pass is reasonable.

For many, South's 4H simply denies slam interest and makes no statement as

to diamond control. In that case North is certainly worth more action. Make the DK

the DA and give South four low clubs and 6H is still outstanding. With such superb

trump support and club control North is entitled to continue with 4NT.

West North East South

Wang Hanlon Ran McGann

--- --- 2C (1) 2H

2S 4NT Pass 5H

Pass 6H 6S Dble

Pass Pass Pass

(1) 10-15 points, 5+ clubs Lead: D5

Declarer was five down for -1100, a useful save against 6H 1430, but 9 Imps

away. Incidentally, note Kate McCallum's 3C opening at favourable vulnerability

with a 10-count. She has won a number of world titles. No Australian has won any,

yet we continue to pre-empt with rubbish hands at favourable vulnerability. Is there

a message here?

Bd. 37: South dealer : Both vulnerable

West North East South

Marston Liu McCallum Shao

--- --- --- 1C

Pass 1S Pass 2C

Pass 2D Pass 3D

Pass 3H Pass 3NT

Pass Pass Pass

Lead: H7

Responding in a 4-card major ahead of long, strong diamond suit is not to everyone's taste, especially not with excellent playing strength. No doubt South's repeat of the club suit did little to encourage North to look for slam.

West North East South

Wang Hanlon Wang McGann

--- --- --- 1D

Pass 2D (1) 2S 3C

Pass 3H Pass 3S

Pass 4C Pass 4H

Pass 6D All pass

(1) Forcing Lead: S8

South won and played a diamond.

West took the ace and switched to a heart.

It was not tough from here. North-South +1370 and +12 Imps. The diamond slam is

not marvellous, but it is reasonable.

Everyone says I'm in denial, but I'm not,

I'm really not!

Tomorrow's problem:

South dealer : East-West vulnerable

West leads the D3 against 3D by South

(1D : 1S, 2C : 2D, 3D : Pass). Plan the play.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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