Bridge

Declarer won the queen and picked up the trump by advancing the ten for a finesse. South, subsequently, played West for the jack of clubs resulting in two overtricks, NS +480.

Game values were present when North offered a negative double of the two-level overcall showing spades and 8+ HCP. South disclosed his length and strength by rebidding three hearts. North had the option of raising to the major suit game or advancing to 3NT. The nine-trick game would have yielded another twelve tricks when East chooses to lead partner's suit. 3NT might not have been a happy contract when South held club shortness. East needs to begin with an unlikely spade to restrict declarer to ten tricks.

West's two-level overcall at adverse vulnerability was not suggested with an emaciated suit since he could not be sure that he even wanted a club lead.

N-S would reap their best possible result by defending two clubs doubled. West would be hard pressed to scramble more than five tricks where the loss of 800 points would fetch a matchpoint zero. This fact merely illustrates the inadvisability of the overcall.