NEW CANADIAN BRIDGE

West shifted to the jack of hearts ruffed by declarer. Twelve tricks were now a possibility as long as spades divided 2-2. South, therefore, elected to play off the ace and king of spades. A diamond from dummy would be discarded on the fifth club when the top spades had drawn trump.

When East showed out on the king of spades, South was held to the contract.

Ironically, the heart shift had prevented an overtrick. If West continues with a diamond, it is quite likely that declarer would finesse West for the spade queen.

East's bidding surely marked him with 9+ red cards.

Declarer would cash the ace of spades but continue with a spade to the ten for eleven tricks.

N-S were playing Michaels vs a minor suit opening but Top & Bottom vs a major suit opening. Therefore, South was precluded from a diamond cuebid and had to settle for spade overcall. He quickly advanced to game when partner offered a spade raise.

A five heart sacrifice would have shown a profit since East loses, at most, four tricks where a doubled two-trick set costs only 500 points.

East should have considered a save, holding ten red-cards.

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