[thepossum]

You find yourself in the following, borderline, slam

Is there any way to increase your chances with regards to the trumps

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Was going badly in MP so went for it

Lead of course was Ace of diamonds followed by small which came round to Declarer

Hint you can make the slam and also in clubs


Please don't say you increase chances by stopping in 5 lol

[paulg]

thepossum, on 2025-April-13, 22:12, said:

You find yourself in the following, borderline, slam

Is there any way to increase your chances with regards to the trumps

You are in a borderline slam so you just want to take the best line to make the contract and not worry about taking other lines. With no opposition bidding, you just cash the ♠A followed by the ♠K (nine never, eight ever) as you cannot cope with any 4-0 break.

When spades are 2-2, then you have an easy make.

If the ♠Q is singleton, then ruff a heart before taking the last trump and you have sufficient entries to try for hearts 4-3 and establish the last heart for a club discard in case they are not 3-3 or ♣J not dropping.

If the long trump is with East (when they are 3-1) then it is safe to try establishing hearts without drawing the final trump. If Easy has a singleton or doubleton heart, then you can test the club layout as you can still ruff your fourth club with dummy's ♠J if needed. If West has the long trump, then you are in danger of being overruffed at some point and will need to draw the trump.