BRIDGE

West persisted in diamonds as South won the king to continue with four rounds of hearts. West ruffed the last one, drew trump and switched to ace and another club in response to partner's discard of the nine of clubs. Declarer could not win another trick and the contract finished down three, E-W +500.

West was handcuffed by the minor suit opening but was thrilled to convert partner's balancing takeout double to penalty by passing.

The trump lead was an effective beginning because declarer would otherwise score a club ruff to finish down only two.

N-S would have avoided the disaster if East had elected to open one club as dealer. South would offer a takeout double but West would redouble, passed around to South. He would escape to one heart which is unlikely to fetch a penalty double.

E-W can certainly make 3NT but the absence of a heart stopper would be a huge roadblock. Would West advance to 3NT with three small hearts and the knowledge that North would begin with a heart? A club contract is the most likely destination but the minor suit game would be a notch too high. South would cash three hearts to defeat the contract.

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

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