Q
Today’s deal is of a type that would be misplayed by many. However at the table the cards would forgive the faux pas most of the time. But in a book you always go down when you make an error.
North’s bid of three spades shows some values. With trump support but no side-suit ace or king, responder raises straight to six spades. South bid what he hoped he could make. After winning trick one with the club ace, declarer played a spade to dummy’s queen and led the heart jack, king, ace, two. (Kelsey doesn’t mention that leading the heart jack only works against someone who hates to cover an honor with an honor. If East has the singleton king, leading the jack could be expensive.)
South cashed the heart queen and ruffed the heart three with dummy’s spade four. But East over-ruffed and flashed back his last trump Declarer had an unavoidable heart loser left: one down.
Declarer was playing for an overtrick. But when one is to a small slam, ensuring 12 tricks is recommended. South should have ruffed the heart three with dummy’s spade king. Declarer plays a diamond to his ace and ruffs the heart eight with the spade four, slam made.
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