At Sixes and Sevens by Foxymoron

The above phrase was originally 'to set on six and seven' and is thought to have derived in the 14th century from the game of dice. The meaning then was 'to carelessly risk one's entire fortune'. The earliest citation in print is Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde, 1374:

"Lat nat this wrechched wo thyn herte gnawe, But manly set the world on sexe and seuene."

I am sure some Chaucerian thoughts were going through the minds of those in six of a major on this hand today. Should one try for seven, in the bidding and play, or should one settle for six? Stefanie and Andy were very unlucky:

Derek and Maria Essen reached the good contract of 6NT. If East finds the club lead, then you will either have to risk the contract on the diamond finesse or settle for making six. The diamond finesse was off and the king of diamonds ruffed out in two rounds but 6NT was still a top. Those in six of a major just took the diamond finesse (or did not risk it when East-West found the club lead). 1430 was a little above average, but 1440 was, surprisingly, all the match points.

Seven hearts is quite a bit against the odds, as the percentage line is the diamond finesse, and you may need spades 3-2 to boot. In Six Hearts, you can play to ruff out the king of diamonds in three rounds which you will try if getting a club lead. In a funny way, 6NT is likely to score very well. It will make whenever spades are 3-2 and has some chances of an overtrick when West has the king of diamonds and the king and queen of clubs as West gets squeezed. Especially played by North, which Maria and Derek managed.

6NT is usually the right contract when the alternative is 6 of a minor, as it beats the latter with an overtrick. The same argument does not apply to 6 of a major, and the decision is very close.