BRIDGE

West switched to the four of spades for the ace as partner cashed the club ace and continued with the jack of spades.

Declarer drew trump via two finesses to follow with a diamond to the jack as West, not unexpectedly, discarded a club. South returned to the table with a club ruff for another diamond hook resulting in ten tricks!

East had fallen asleep at the switch. There could only be one reason that partner had failed to begin with a diamond. He did not have any!

East should overtake the club king with the ace and fire back a suit preference ten of diamonds. Declarer will finesse but West ruffs to return a spade. East wins the ace and delivers a second diamond ruff by leading the nine of diamonds. West then cashes the queen of clubs to earn a one-trick set.

West will not return a low club hoping for a third ruff because partner's play of the nine of diamonds has denied the jack of clubs.

East's lead directing double of the transfer was certainly questionable but positioned the defense to defeat the partscore.

South's leap to three hearts was reasonable with four-card heart support and the ace-queen-jack of diamonds.

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

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