All The Tens

30th November – Board 22. East/West Game. Dealer East.

That South hand may not look very pretty when you pick it up but it has hidden pearls beyond price.

	North: S K H 9 7 6 D K Q J 5 4 3 C K 7 5
West: S 9 7 5 3 H 8 4 3 D 7 6 C Q J 4 2		East: S Q J 6 4 H K Q 5 2 D 9 8 C 9 8 3
	South: S A 10 8 2 H A J 10                    D A 10 2 C A 10 6

West	North	East	South
			1S
No	2D	No	2NT
No	3D	No	3H
No	4S	No	5C
No	5D	No	6D
End

2NT is game forcing so that 3D not only shows a six card suit but is also a slam try because otherwise North would sign off most likely with 3NT. Holding all the big boys South should really be convinced at this point that he is going for a slam and the only real question should be how big. So after a few desultory queue bids 6D it is and now the full strength of South’s hand becomes apparent. That ten of hearts transforms the slam from being speculative into being 100% (I think) with the 2-2 trump break. I’ll let you work out why.