Today’s deal comes to us from our good friend Paul Marston. Marston has been a leading player in Australia for about 40 years, and today also writes a bridge column. Marston is a “Kiwi,” which is an affectionate nickname for people who were born in New Zealand. Marston tells us that “kiwi” is also a slang term for an allblack bridge hand containing only the black suits, spades and clubs. New Zealand sports teams, especially their rugby team, are known as the “All Blacks.” The connection is a bit thin, but we get it.
East-West powered into three no trump after the weak no trump opening and a brave bid by North, which should have alerted South to the misfit. South, undaunted, decided to bid out his “kiwi’ at the four level. It might look like a disaster is unfolding, but there is a surprise twist — it’s a disaster for East-West. North-South cannot be defeated, on this lucky lie of the cards, in either four spades or five clubs.
South won the opening heart lead with dummy’s ace while discarding a club. He promptly led a club to his queen for a winning finesse against the king. South continued by cashing the ace of clubs and leading a third round of the suit. West erred by ruffing with the queen, allowing South to over-ruff in the dummy and lead the 10 of spades. When the remaining spades fell under the jack a trick later, South claimed 12 tricks!
