NEW CANADIAN BRIDGE

Thursday, December 31, 2020

Declarer scored the queen to successfully advance and pass the queen of diamonds. The ten of hearts was also passed when West declined to cover as East took the ace to return a club. The nine of hearts fetched the jack, king and three and was followed by the ace of diamonds. South led a heart to the queen and ruffed a heart but had to lose a spade and the king of diamonds, resulting in ten tricks. South could have avoided a trump loser by continuing with the jack of diamonds but would then have lost a heart trick in the endgame. A NT partscore would have been a resounding success on this layout since South can bring home five diamond tricks by pinning the nine and ten. West would lead a club but, by playing West for the jack of hearts, declarer would corral five diamonds, two clubs, two hearts and the ace of spades for a miraculous ten tricks. South rejected any notion of a 2NT rebid because partner could not own a good hand with both opponents in the auction. Moreover, North's diamond raise might simply have been a competitive action. Author: Dave Willis - visit his website at www.insidebridge.ca Questions on bridge can be sent with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to The New Canadian Bridge c/o Torstar Syndication Services, One Yonge St., Toronto, M5E 1E6. Copyright 2020 Torstar Syndication Services