BRIDGE

West played three rounds of spades as declarer ruffed with the queen and continued with the king of hearts revealing the 3-0 break. He drew trump with a finesse of the ten and followed with the top clubs felling the queen. A club was conceded to the jack and a diamond was discarded on the ten of clubs, N-S +420. South could also have succeeded by continuing with ace and another diamond. West scores the king but must break clubs or offer a ruff and discard where ten tricks roll home by playing for split honors.

West likely considered four spades as a sacrifice but declined this action as a consequence of the vulnerablity. The save will be doubled but West should be able to scramble eight tricks for a loss of only 300 points. He ruffs the heart lead, crosses to the queen of spades and advances a diamond intending to play the king. However, he will be unable to build a club trick on this layout and will finish down two. A mis-guess in diamonds would culminate in a three-trick set (-500) and a matchpoint zero.

North's triple raise was a tad overstrength but he was unwilling to risk missing the major suit game. Author: Dave Willis - visit his website at www.insidebridge.ca Questions on bridge can be sent with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to The New Canadian Bridge c/o Torstar Syndication Services, One Yonge St., Toronto, M5E 1E6. Copyright 2017 Torstar Syndication Services