BRIDGE

Declarer lost three spades, a heart, and a club trick, N-S +110. South’s bidding promised an invitational hand with 5-5 in the majors. North held a minimum and too many wasted values in the minors to consider any advance beyond the two-level. This sequence had the odd effect of making South the declarer in the partscore. The good news was that this was irrelevant because North would not win more than eight tricks in either major. The lie of the major suit honors was a cruel blow but the auction permitted N-S to put on the brakes at a low level.

South would transfer to spades and rebid hearts to show 5-5 in the majors with game values.

South’s resolve to value his collection as worth a game invitation was reasonable. Partner might have owned a four-card major which certainly would have improved the chance of making game. The king and queen of clubs were without any value but possession of the ace instead would cover South’s singleton.

A NT partscore will not fare well when East begins with a diamond. The defence will be positioned to record seven defensive tricks when North wins the king and follows with ace and another heart. East will drive out the ace of diamonds but declarer will run the hearts and continue with a club. West must hop with the ace and switch to the spade queen.

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