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County Match v Wiltshire
A Tough Slam
In this highlighted hand from the Wiltshire county match, the declarer found a good line to make a thin slam. The 2♠ bid agreed diamonds and was a mini splinter bid with the values to go to at least 3. North tried to sign off with 3. South had the bit between his teeth and showed values in hearts, which converted to a 1st or 2nd round control bid once a further control bid was made with the bid of 4♣. North now showed his control in hearts before South rather taken by his void settled for 6

The lead of A♠ required declarer to ruff. Declarer has three remaining losing spades to deal with, as a dummy reversal does not look too promising after dummy's trumps have already been shortened. One of them can go on the K♣, but it is likely two further ruffs will be required. This looks a dodgy line as keeping control of the trump situation may prove to be impossible. A better line is to try and see if a friendly situation exists in the club suit. So declarer cashed the A and K♣, and was pleased to see the Q♣ come down. Now only one further spade ruff should be required in dummy. But some trumps need to be drawn first. Declarer cannot really cash Aand then another diamond,  as the holder of the Kmay have a further trump to lead so killing the final spade ruff required. Declarer therefore led a low diamond, which not only retains ruffing ability in dummy, but also keeps control of the situation if a 4-1 diamond break is present. East won with the K and made life a bit easier for declarer by exiting with a club, another diamond would have been better.West was forced to ruff and declarer over ruffed, trumped a spade and then cashed the A, gratefully seeing all of the diamonds had now been removed from the defenders hands. Now the J♣ could be cashed so declarer could get rid of the final spade. Declarer was left with four hearts and the final diamond and needed a singleton Q to drop or a 3/2 heart break plus successfully picking up the Q♥. East had already shown up with 5 clubs, and two diamonds and was bound to have some length in spades.The odds were on shorter hearts in East's hand. The Awas cashed and the Q successfully finessed  to land the only slam bid and made on the deal.

If East had found a diamond return rather than the club, North would have had to win with the Qand ruff a spade. A diamond would still be out so declarer would now have to immediately finesse the hearts into his own hand to clear the trumps before returning to dummy with the Ato cash the winning club. He would have probably got it right.