Bridge

SOMETIMES a small variation in the auction affects the defence in unexpected ways. On this deal from the Scottish Cup Final East opened a strong 2C, and South made a simple overcall in diamonds. West passed, North raised, and Derek Diamond ended the bidding with a firm 4H. Had North-South been nonvulnerable they might consider a sacrifice. 5D is just two down, but -500 is not much of a save, and bidding it presupposes that East-West can make their game.

Against 4H John Murdoch led the king of diamonds. Brian Spears saw no good reason to overtake, so he signalled his length. South smartly cashed the ace of clubs before playing his second diamond, and North gave him a club ruff. The sort of competent defence typical of this partnership.

In the other room Cliff Gillis bid just 3H over 3D. Paul Barton tried 4C, and only now did Gillis bid 4H. Here when South led the king of diamonds North overtook with the ace to fire a spade through. The club ruff was lost, and game made. To be fair to North this defence might be essential were the black aces in different hands.

The strange thing is that neither South cashed the ace of clubs at trick one, before playing diamonds. That would make it clear that the ace was singleton, particularly in the room where clubs have been bid. Given North's support for diamonds it is likely that he will have an entry to give a ruff.