Meyai After

MADEIRA

BRIDGE

Unconventional

Andrew Robson

THOSE WHO know me are aware of how little I value conventional bids. One of the few tools I recommend is Roman Key Card Blackwood, which replaces ordinary Black- wood, whereby a bid of 4NT asks partner about the king and queen of the agreed trump suit in addition to the four aces. It was invaluable on this week's deal: Dealer South Both Vulnerable 4K 2

K J 8 6 5 3

• A 10

• A K 7

48 6

3

410 Q 109

• Q 9 7 6 5

W E

• K 8 4 3 • J 7 6

4

+0109 8 3 4A Q J 9 7 5 4

IA 9 7 • J2 +5 South West North 14 pass 211, 34 pass 4NT* 54 pass 74

*Roman Key Card Blackwood

North was strong enough to jump to 3V over South's 14 opening. Sensibly, howev- er, he preferred to go slower and learn more about his partner's hand. After his partner jumped to 34, his thoughts turned to the possibility of a grand slam. The only cards he needed from partner were 4A0 and VA (barring a bad • break, any minor suit losers in partner's hand will be discard- ed on his Vs): ideal for Roman Key Card Blackwood. His partner responded 54 to 4NT, showing two of the 'five aces', the king of trumps counting as an ace, and also indicating possession of 40. 5+ would show 0 or 3 of the five aces; 5• would show 1 or 4 of the five aces and 5V would show 2 without the queen of trumps. South's 54 bid revealed that the partnership held all the 'key cards' so North bid 74.

West led a trump and South won in dummy and drew the remaining trumps. He cashed VA and led a to dummy's king. Undeterred by West showing out, he cashed +A and K, discarding his third V. He led a V from dummy, trumping East's queen, returned to dummy's •A and dis- carded his second • on an established winner in dummy: contract made. Can you spot the opening lead that defeats the grand slam? A • lead removes dummy's ace prematurely, after which the contract is unmakeable. East pass pass all pass