A wrong does not always do badly

Thomas C. Haliburton, a Nova Scotian politician, judge and author who died in 1865, said, “When a man is wrong and won’t admit is, he always gets angry.”

Some bridge players who get cross with partner are guilty, adopting the “offense is the best defense” policy. In contrast, sometimes making the “wrong” bid or play does not cost. In today’s deal, critique the auction.

South might have opened one notrump; the heart suit was a plus value, but the black-suit holdings were minuses. If he had, though, maybe three no-trump would have been the final contract. After West led the club jack (or seven), that would have gone down two.

North might have responded two clubs, Reverse Drury, showing threeplus heart support and a maximum pass. Then South would have insisted on game, reaching four hearts one way or another.

Finally, South was aggressive in going straight to game. Two no-trump would have been a better rebid, but North would have jumped to four hearts.

West did well to lead a trump. How should South have played?

He immediately cashed the diamond king and played his nine to dummy’s 10. However, East took that trick and shifted to clubs for down one.

South would have done better first to try for a club ruff on the board: heart 10, club two. If East rose with the king and returned a trump, South would have next led the club queen. Here, that would have worked nicely. But if the defenders could have denuded dummy’s trumps, the diamond finesse was still available.