BRIDGE

An advance of the ten of diamonds fetched the queen and ace. West won the continuation of the jack of diamonds on which East discarded a heart. West erroneously returned a heart where declarer finished the diamonds to reach a five-card ending.

Declarer continued with the king, ace and third club throwing East on play. The forced spade return into the ace-queen culminated in eleven tricks!

South is marked with either the king or queen of hearts. Therefore West should switch to the seven of spades as partner wins and shifts to the jack of clubs.

As long as East declines to play a another heart, the defenders will earn a multi-trick set since there is no entry to the diamond winners. North's resolve to jump shift was an overbid, to be sure. He should rebid two clubs with a spade rebid in reserve.

The best game on this layout is five diamonds where South should have no difficulty earning the game bonus, losing only the diamond king and a heart trick. However, it will not be an easy task to reach the minor suit game. Author: Dave Willis - visit his website at www.insidebridge.ca Questions can be sent with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to The New Canadian Bridge c/o Torstar Syndication Services, One Yonge St., Toronto, M5E 1E6