1. A good gamble?

South Deals
NS Vul

♠

A Q 7

♥

A Q J 10

♦

J 5

♣

K J 6 4

♠

K 9 6

♥

K 9 7 6 5 4  

♦

10 4

♣

9 7

♠

10 8 5 4 3

♥

8 2

♦

6

♣

A Q 5 3 2

 

♠

J 2

♥

3

♦

A K Q 9 8 7 3 2

♣

10 6


This produced a plethora of different results at a recent pairs event. Being vulnerable, only two Souths opened 5♦ and one North raised to 6♦ and the other sensibly bid 6NT to protect his Club King. The remaining Souths all opted for opening a 'Gambling 3NT', which sometimes was raised to 6NT by North. Not one West found the fatal club lead. On a heart lead against 6NT, declarer wins with the ten, runs all the diamonds and West is squeezed in the majors for thirteen tricks.