It was late in the evening and this was the last rubber at the club for the night. Celebrating the holiday season, South had been enjoying the club’s excellent eggnog, with some especially good “nog” in it. He picked up the lovely South hand in today’s deal and excitedly opened two clubs. South got a little too excited when North jump raised his suit, forgetting for the moment that the jump, while promising at least three spades, also denied holding an ace or a king. South should have settled for game, as even finding the queen of hearts in dummy would only assure him of 10 tricks. Full of the joys, not to mention the egg nog, he leaped bravely to slam.
Dummy had some useful features and there was a play for the slam. Should East have king doubleton of spades, and at least three hearts, South could make it. A heart ruff, a trump finesse, the ace of trumps, and another heart ruff would give him 12 tricks. He won the opening club lead, cashed the ace and king of hearts, and ruffed a heart. He led a spade to his queen, winning the trick, but was alarmed when West discarded. He now needed East to have the last heart, so he could ruff in dummy, without being over-ruffed, and then use that entry for another trump finesse. South led his last heart and was disappointed to see the 10 from West. Rather than ruffing, however, he discarded a diamond from dummy. Bingo! He ruffed the club continuation, ruffed a diamond in dummy, and repeated the spade finesse for 12 tricks. Well done.