DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

If today’s South had jumped to three hearts in the direct position, his bid would have been pre-emptive.

But in the “passout” or “balancing” position, South’s bid was intermediate, suggesting a good sixcard suit with opening values or a bit more. To define a balancing jump-overcall as weak and pre-emptive 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 10 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.