BRIDGE

Declarer put up the ace of diamonds to continue with the the king of hearts.

The ace was ruffed away and followed by the ace and king of spades. South could discard four diamonds on the heart winners losing only the queen of spades, N-S +680.

It was clear that the opening lead was a singleton and thus a ruffing finesse in hearts furnished an opportunity to score two overtricks as long as spades broke normally.

A spade slam was not a high percentage contract but was icy on this layout.

North was confronted with a rebid problem because a threeheart rebid would not be forcing. Partner’s response promised five or more spades because this pair was playing Flannery.

With the knowledge that there was at least a 5-3 spade fit, he elected tell a white lie by jumping to three spades despite holding only three-card support.

In truth South would be faced with a dilemma if partner had rebid three hearts. My guess is that he would pass, hoping for the best.

More aggressive souls might continue with four diamonds in the hope of locating a fit.

North would advance to four spades but South would fear that this action was simply a preference based upon a doubleton.