BRIDGE

Aug. 25

South topped the jack with the ace to advance a low heart as West followed with the deuce. He inserted dummy's ten but East showed out, discarding a diamond. The queen of spades was unblocked and the deuce of diamonds was led towards the closed hand. East played low as declarer won the king to continue with a top spade that was ruffed and overruffed. South came off dummy with a diamond for East's jack but the ace of diamonds was ruffed. West threw a club on the fourth spade as dummy also pitched a club. South exited with ace and another club but East overtook with the king to lead a third round and West could not be prevented from scoring two trump winners. The game drifted down one, N-S -100. The 5-0 trump division was a cruel blow culminating in defeat. 3NT declared by South may be successful unless West finds a diamond lead. East contributes the jack, when dummy plays low, dislodging the king. When West regains the lead with a heart, he returns the ten of diamonds pinning the nine. However, he may begin with a spade for lack of a reasonable alternative where South may be able to scramble nine tricks. Unfortunately, South is much more likely to advance to the major suit game than rebid 3NT.