GOREN BRIDGE

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

NORTH’S two-diamond bid was a crime! We like aggressive bidding, but to bid with that hand, vulnerable? Yeesh! Still, people get away with these crimes all the time. East could have bid three no trump, but he chose to double. We like his choice. It’s a pleasure to see one of these perpetrators get what they deserve. South’s jump to three spades is routine. He probably thought his queenjack of hearts would shore up partner’s second suit. That suit needed a lot more than two honours to shore it up. A large building crane might do it.

West started by cashing the ace and king of diamonds before shifting brilliantly to the king of hearts. A heart to the ace was followed by a third heart, ruffed by South with the jack and over-ruffed with the queen. A third round of diamonds was ruffed in dummy and over-ruffed with the ace by East, who led another heart. South was powerless to prevent the six of spades from taking this trick. Down three for minus 800 was a blow to the bank account for North-South.

This result wouldn’t have been so bad had the vulnerability been reversed. East-West are cold for three no trump by West, or five clubs. Even six clubs has a chance to come home, though unlikely to be bid. Should you enjoy an occasional bid on the wild side, you have to pick your spots carefully.

You probably won’t find one of those spots when you’re vulnerable.