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The Key Card.

We are not talking about a Blackwood response but the most important card for declarer in today’s deal. Indeed, North did not use any form of Blackwood in reaching slam. In laying down dummy, words like I hope you have the right honours to make this contract were said! South might not have been so sure they did!

 

4 was a try for slam showing control in the “enemy” suit. South declined to show any interest though North insisted. West led 8 which declarer won in their hand. 12 tricks would be pretty straightforward if trumps broke 2-2 and spades 3-3. So, declarer played a spade to the king and then A with an ominous Q appearing from East. East discarded on the third round of spades as declarer ruffed but both defenders obliged on the second round of trumps when one was played to A (at least a 2-2 break there).

South ruffed a fourth round of spades and returned to dummy with a diamond ruff.

What missing fact should you be asking?

What is the key North-South card?

What chance now of making 6?

The most important fact so far undisclosed is which cards did East discard on the 3^rd and 4^th round of spades? And the "key card" you still hold? Why, the seemingly worthless K.

What chance of success? Maybe not good but watch closely which card East discards on the 5^th round of spades. Let’s say East had already thrown a small diamond and a small club but on the actual lay-out, it did not matter what they threw as long as the declarer watched closely. The 6-card ending then is:

South needs to duck a club, hopefully to the player who holds A which would mean they had to lead it, underlead it or lead another club.

If East throws a second club on the fifth round of spades, Q falls under A and declarer just gives up a club trick, making dummy good.

If East throws 1O, South discards a club. 4 goes to 10 and A. South now exits 5 and East wins and can either exit their remaining high club setting up J in dummy or else cash or underlead A, both to South’s advantage.

These were the four hands:

 

East is squeezed by the play of 5 rounds of spades. That seemingly worthless K proved to be the “key card” after all.

Would you have made the slam? Very good if you did.

Richard Solomon

 

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