After the fact, clever solutions

Ellen DeGeneres said, "Procrastination is not the problem; it is the solution. Procrastinate now; don't put it off." Very funny! But when an unusual situation arises and an avoidable disaster strikes, everyone tries to find a solution. This deal occurred in a Camrose Trophy match in January. The Camrose is an annual battle between the countries of the United Kingdom.

At all six tables, East opened four hearts, and South had to decide what to do. Five of them understandably jumped to seven spades, but East made a Lightner Slam Double, asking for an unusual lead. Four times it was passed out, and once South redoubled. At the sixth table, South cue-bid five hearts. But when North advanced with six clubs, South jumped to seven spades, where he was also doubled. Each West knew exactly what to lead: a club. East ruffed for down one. Then, though, everyone started to wonder how to get North to be the declarer in seven spades or seven diamonds, so that there couldn't be a trick-one ruff. What did you come up with?

The popular choice was seven hearts, trusting that partner would read this as a transfer to seven spades. Then North could have been the declarer in a suit first named at the seven-level and with a trump void!

An alternative is five hearts. Presumably North would advance with five no-trump, asking partner for his minor. But a winning call would be six diamonds, announcing a willingness to go to seven clubs if partner has a black two-suiter.