BRIDGE with Bob Jones

North, of course, denied a four-card major when he bid two diamonds. The three-heart bid by South was a game try showing values in hearts, not necessarily a four-card suit. North, with a decent hand for his raise, made the excellent bid of three spades. South read this bid perfectly -- a decent hand with spade values rather than club values -- and jumped aggressively to five diamonds, reasoning that three no trump would have no chance. He was right about that, but could he make five diamonds?

West continued clubs at trick two, ruffed by South, who cashed the ace of spades before leading a spade to the king and ruffing dummy’s last spade. A trump to the king was followed by a ruff of dummy’s last club.

Both black suits had been eliminated from the North and South hands. Declarer now led a diamond to the board’s queen, drawing the last trump in the process. The nine of hearts was led, covered by the 10 and jack, and losing to West’s queen. South’s careful play had paid off, as West was now hopelessly end-played. A heart and South’s remaining heart loser would disappear, and either black suit would yield a ruff-sluff. South would ruff in hand while discarding a low heart from dummy. Good bidding followed by good play -- exactly what we like to see.