BRIDGE

Given a second chance, South eventually showed he was a card-carrying member of the “Six-five, come alive” club when he refused to let West play four clubs (almost certain to come home) by carrying on to what he likely expected to be a profitable sacrifice in four spades. Some sacrifice!

Note that South’s initial response had to be based mostly on distribution as with a truly good hand, he would have doubled the notrump overcall for penalty.

West’s entry was a “who knows what any side could make” stab in the dark and North’s competitive raise of spades was a practical effort aimed at further crowding out the opponents — remember, good things can happen when you have support and show it!

As it was, South assessed correctly that the three-level was quite high enough, at least in theory! And until West tried to declare at the four-level in the suit North had opened the bidding in.

Ever onward went our hero in the South seat as he really did come alive.

On the lie of the cards, West actually had only one chance to create a positive result for his side and at least he was on the right track by deciding the lead of a red suit would be best.

But when the red suit he selected was pointed, South had really won his gamble. East won two high diamonds and shifted to a club but the die was cast.

Declarer ruffed the club, cashed the spade ace and used his hidden diamond winners to discard two hearts from the North hand.

Seventeen combined high-card points were just enough for game, thanks to the power of 6-5!

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