Bridge

THERE was an easily-overlooked point to the defence on this week's deal from a recent pairs competition, writes Alan Hiron.

Love all; dealer East

North

5 2

Q 10 8 6 3

10 2

9 8 6 3

West

K 8 6 4

J 9 2

J 5

J 10 4 2

East

A J 9 7 3

A K 7 5

K 8 7 4

none

South

Q 10

4

A Q 9 6 3

A K Q 7 5

East opened One Spade, South overcalled with Two No-trumps (showing the minors) and West raised to Three Spades. This was known to be weak (Three Clubs or Three Diamonds would have shown a sound raise to Three Spades) but East went on to Four Spades. Perhaps unwisely, South contested with Five Clubs and West doubled to end the auction. West started with the king of spades (in case a switch was indicated) and continued spades. East won, cashed the ace of hearts, and switched to a low diamond.

This proved a rather soft defence - declarer finessed the queen, cashed the ace of diamonds, and led another diamond. Whether West ruffed in front of dummy or discarded, there was no way for him to come more than one trump trick and South ended by conceding a penalty of 300 points. It was a sacrifice in a doubtful cause and the defence could have done better.

Try the effect of East playing a third round of spades after cashing his heart trick. No matter in which hand declarer ruffs, he cannot prevent the defenders coming to two more tricks and so collecting a 500 point penalty. When in defence you have cashed all your available top tricks, it often pays to give declarer a useless ruff and discard and so weaken his trumps.