Bridge - The Scotsman 27/06/2012

By Liz McGowan
Published on 26/07/2012 00:00

On this deal from the Summer Congress Teams Qualifying Round North was wise not to double the final contract, even though he expected it to fail. South’s 2NT overcall, showing 5-5 in the minors, achieved nothing except to warn declarer of bad breaks. North’s simple preference to clubs normally shows a complete misfit, but he had no high cards in partner’s suits, and game in a minor looks a long way off .

South led the king of clubs, and when North signalled an odd number of cards in the suit, he switched to the queen of diamonds. Just in case trump broke badly, declarer won the king in dummy and ruffed a club to start shortening his trump. Then he played ace of diamonds and ruffed a diamond, pleased that there was no overruff. He took another club ruff before playing a heart to the jack and ace, noting that South showed out. North had only major suit cards left, so he returned the ten of hearts to the queen.

Once North followed to three rounds of each minor his hand was an open book. Declarer cashed the ace and king of spades, then led a third round, knowing North would have to ruff and lead another heart, allowing him to finesse the eight for his game.