NEW CANADIAN BRIDGE

Declarer won the jack of hearts, cashed the king of spades and continued with another, inserting dummy's jack when West contributed the ten. The ace of spades extracted the queen and a club was advanced towards the closed hand. With the club ace onside, South emerged with ten tricks, N-S +170.

The 5-1 heart break had tilted the odds in favor of a second round trump finesse culminating in an overtrick.

North's artificial leap to three clubs promised four-card spade support with 7-9 dummy points. South held no interest in game and signed off at three spades which was passed out. East should have continued in the auction, in my view. He should double three clubs to show strength and length in that suit. This action might have convinced West to venture four clubs in spite of the adverse vulnerability. This call could potentially be passed out where West would, at worst, finish down one (-100).

It is doubtful that N-S would continue to the major suit game or offer a penalty double of the advance to four clubs. Neither side could be certain of who could make how many.

Author: Dave Willis - visit his website at www.insidebridge.ca

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