NEW CANADIAN BRIDGE

Saturday, February 27, 2021

East topped the jack with the king but switched to the four of clubs for the jack and ace. Declarer ruffed the heart return, cashed the king of clubs and attempted to ruff a club but West went in with the spade queen. A spade to the ace was followed by the queen of clubs culminating in a two-trick set. East should shift to the spade four at trick two earning the defense at least one more trick. South's decision to bid four spades with twelve black suit cards was suggested at favorable vulnerability opposite a passed hand partner. This action would steal valuable bidding space and make life difficult for the opponents. Unfortunately, the display of a worthless dummy was a huge disappointment. North held nothing of value in a black suit and actually did not furnish one trick. The good news is that West had declined to double four spades. North was precluded from opening with a weak two diamonds because N-S were playing Flannery! South would have been substantially more cautious in the auction if partner had opened with a diamond weak two-bid. East might have managed to make a heart partscore but even that is questionable on this layout.

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