BRIDGE

Greed

South’s aggressive bidding can be justified, perhaps, by his side fit for partner’s diamond suit. North must have been enjoying another cocktail when he bid five spades. However, the call might have worked out well for him. The ace of hearts lead held the first trick and West shifted to a club. East won with his king and shifted accurately to the eight of diamonds. South won this with his queen and ruffed a heart in dummy. At this point, South could have started on trumps and finished down two. The opponents were surely cold for at least 11 tricks, so down two would have been an excellent result, but South thought he could get out for down one. South ruffed a club in his hand and ruffed his last heart in dummy. He ruffed a club with his six of spades and was over-ruffed by West’s seven. West led a diamond to dummy’s ace. South ruffed a club with the jack of spades and led the queen of spades to the ace, leaving this position: