NEW CANADIAN BRIDGE

East was permitted to win the queen but South inserted the jack on the low club continuation as West discarded the deuce of spades. Four rounds of hearts threw West on play as dummy parted with a club. A switch to the diamond three fetched the jack, king and ace. South continued with the nine of spades as West rose with the king to exit with a spade taken in the closed hand. South cashed the club ace discarding a diamond from the table and followed with another towards the ten to emerge with nine tricks. Once East had shown up with the king-queen of clubs and the diamond king, it was patently clear that the king of spades and queen of diamonds resided in West simplifying the play of the hand. East's resolve to open with a three-level pre-empt with only six clubs at adverse vulnerability was over the top. South might have overalled 3NT relying on partner to furnish a modicum of values for success but he chose a takeout double in the hope of finding a major suit fit. When partner advanced to three diamonds, he converted to the nine trick game. N-S would achieve their best best result by defending three clubs doubled.

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.