lead beats slam **

Nicer here in the Smoky Mountains than at home in the wine country where it is HOT! I've been walking, swimming, etc...

More from the 2-day Swiss... Match 3 brought us face to face with the only other local hometown team--bragging rights were at stake!

We (mainly yours truly) overbid on a hand and one of our opponents had enough strength and trumps to deliver a devastating double for minus 800. Ouch--the only "disaster" like this we suffered either day. Now, on the last board our opponents had a long tortured auction to arrive in 6H and it was my lead.

Qxx
97
K1087
J643

RHO had opened 1H and jump shifted in clubs. There was a lot of cuebidding before the final call of 6H. This lead was crucial. I finally tabled a heart. Here are all hands:

.....................Qxx
.....................97
.....................K1087
.....................J643

x........................................A10962
AQ106543.........................K8
A........................................Q652
Q1098................................A2

...................KJ87
...................J2
...................J943
...................K75

Although "deep finesse" indicated that 6H could be made, as you can see, it doesn't appear so. The heart lead, and a heart return by partner when he is in with his king of clubs, left declarer with a second club loser. Even if declarer runs the club 10, he still has a club loser with a second heart play.

Whew! This gain counterbalanced the earlier loss and we ended up winning the match by 1 imp.

See you at the table!