BRIDGE

Drawing an accurate inference from an opponent’s actions in the bidding can be a scary — but often profitable — proposition.

West furthered the preempt started by his partner’s weak two-bid to the maximum (actually four spades would be hard to set, notwithstanding North-South’s overwhelming high-card superiority), but when North bid four notrump seeking a minor-suit choice, East’s double suggested defense as did his final double of South’s preference to five diamonds.

West’s club lead neither helped nor hurt the defensive effort but it did get East off to a happy start as he could ruff and exit with a spade to dummy’s ace.

Declarer continued by cashing the diamond King and leading a second round to the Jack and ace so he could cash the spade King to discard a small heart from dummy.

Finally, a diamond exit to give East his trump trick and confront South with the critical decision when a low heart came back — should he play East for the ace or the Queen?

As the contract at the other table of this match was three notrump by South going down one trick, guessing hearts correctly for down one wouldn’t have meant a big loss for North-South’s team, but South’s play of a low heart for down two was certainly costly:500 to EastWest instead of 200!

Question declarer might have asked himself before making the heart play: Would East have been so eager to double four notrump and five diamonds with three Queens and one Jack in his hand?