Today’s deal comes from the mind of South Florida’s Richard Pavlicek, a great American player, teacher, and writer. It was played, according to Pavlicek, at a tournament in the North Pole. The players were all local residents, but from two different factions that did not always get along and did not speak the same language. South intended to bid two clubs, Stayman, but the opponents thought he bid seven clubs. The director was called and he ruled that seven clubs was the final contract. The fact that he was from the same faction as East-West had nothing to do with his ruling.South won the opening heart lead with his 10 and led the 10 of diamonds to the jack and queen. He crossed back to his hand with a heart to the queen and led the 10 of spades to the jack and queen. So far, so good. South led a heart to his ace and led the nine of diamonds, winning the trick. The nine of spades was next, also winning the trick. Declarer now led a club to dummy’s nine and won that trick also! He cashed the ace of spades and the ace of diamonds with both opponents following suit to everything. He ruffed dummy’s last spade with the king of clubs as both opponents under-ruffed. Dummy had to take the last two tricks with the ace-jack of clubs and the grand slam rolled home! A beauty! Published - June 25, 2026 10:56 am IST