Board 22. Dealer East. EW Game ª 7 © 10 9 4 3 2 ¨ K 10 9 6 3 § J 9 ª A K 6 3 ª J 9 5 © A Q J 7 © K 6 5 ¨ 4 2 ¨ A § A K 5 § Q 10 8 4 3 2 ª Q 10 8 4 2 © 8 ¨ Q J 8 7 5 § 7 6 West North East South KIng Louvaux McCormak Louvaux 1§ Pass 1© Pass 2§ Pass 2ª Pass 3© Pass 4NT Pass 5© Pass 7NT All Pass

Only two pairs bid to 7NT on this deal in the Lipton Ice Tea World Junior Pairs Championship. The Irish combination of Thomas MacCormal and Richard King was one of them. You may be aware that the standard defence against an Irish slam is to lead an ace to look at dummy, cash your other ace and wait for your natural trump trick(s). In some variations your partner also produces an ace. This time the North player was shocked to find he had no ace to lead against the Irish grand slam.