Bridge

Opening Lead: ♦5

Declarer put up dummy's ace, drew trump in four rounds and ran the heart suit for twelve tricks, N-S +680.

The danger in playing low from the table is that East might produce the king and switch to a club, restricting South to ten tricks. Two overtricks would roll home by winning the diamond ace and drawing trump as long as hearts were 3-2 (68%).

If hearts had divided 4-1, declarer would then play a diamond towards the closed hand in an effort to build a tenth trick.

West must lead a club to earn the defense two tricks but was reluctant to begin with the ace of clubs.

North was confronted with a problematic rebid. South had promised a five-card spade suit since Flannery was among their agreements. A jump rebid in hearts was possible but would be non-forcing and might land N-S in the wrong major. North decided to offer a jump raise of spades despite owning only three-card support. This action at least conveyed his strength and a 53 spade fit was assured.

If North had indeed rebid three hearts, South would boost to game. How would South have treated a four spade continuation by partner?