Balancing seat

If today’s South had jumped to three hearts in the direct position, his bid would have been preemptive. ( A few pairs agree to treat it as intermediate; almost nobody uses it as the old- fashioned strong variety.) But in the “passout” or “balancing” position, South’s bid was intermediate, suggesting a good six- card suit with opening values or a bit more. To define a balancing jump- overcall as weak and preemptive would make no sense. North could reasonably have passed, but he judged that his aces sufficed to bid game. Since South had a sound hand, North’s raise appeared to be a winning action. But after West cashed the king of spades, he led the queen of clubs. Declarer won and took the A- K of trumps, relying on a normal 3- 2 break, but West discarded. South then exited with a spade, hoping West would lead a third spade, but West led the ten of clubs. South won, took the K- A of diamonds and ruffed a club, but he had to lose a trump to East’s jack plus a diamond. Down one. There was nothing about the auction that careful play wouldn’t justify. At Trick Three, declarer must concede a spade. He wins the club return and takes the K- A of trumps. If East- West followed, South could lead a diamond to his hand and draw the missing trump for 10 tricks. When instead West discards on the second high trump, South ruffs a club, takes the K- A of diamonds and ruffs dummy’s last club. At the 11th trick, he exits with his diamond loser and wins the last two tricks with the Q- 10 of trumps behind East’s J- 9.