NEW CANADIAN BRIDGE

South topped the spade jack with the king and ran the club suit retaining five hearts in hand. East erred by pitching a heart on the sixth club so declarer was able to win thirteen tricks, N-S +720.

East should keep the ace of diamonds and four hearts, declarer's long suit, where South will be restricted to eleven tricks when he plays hearts from the top.

What a difference the opening lead makes on this deal.

Let West begin with the ten of diamonds where East will score two tricks. When South's jack does not appear, East switches to the queen of spades where the defense will swiftly run the entire suit to reap a three-trick set.

West can be certain that declarer owns a spade stopper or he would not have rebid 2NT. It is, therefore, reasonable to choose the ten of diamonds that is less likely to cede a trick which is all important at matchpoints.

This beginning would, undoubtedly, yield the defense a matchpoint top.

From West's perspective, the contract was very unlikely to be defeated because he owned but one ace.

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