bridge

East topped the queen with the king but switched to the deuce of hearts. Declarer put up the ace, led a spade to the queen and continued with a club to the ten on which West discarded a heart.

The opening lead suggested that East held five diamonds and declarer proceeded on that assumption. He cashed the king of spades, led another to the ten and played off the ace pitching a heart as East threw a diamond. South followed with the ace, king and seven of clubs throwing East on play. He could cash another club but then was forced to play a diamond. The jack of diamonds became the game - fulfilling ninth trick, N-S +600. South had correctly judged that East's pattern was 2,1,5,5 but it was possible that he could have owned jack third of spades and only four diamonds. The contract would have been much easier had West selected a heart as an opening shot.

North could have employed Stayman in search of a 4-4 spade fit but declined this action with a semi-balanced hand, reasoning that nine tricks would be easier than ten. Partner didn't own four spades, in any case, where 3NT was bound to be the final contract.