BRIDGE

Three no trumps played by North would have been an excellent contract but at both tables in match play it was South who became declarer. Only one South succeeded by means of a simple, but easily overlooked, ruse.

North opened One Diamond, East overcalled with One Heart, and South showed his spades. When North rebid his diamonds, South tried Two No-trumps and was raised to game. West led the eight of hearts against Three No-trumps and this was covered by the nine and ten.

At this point the play diverged. One South won, led a diamond to the ace to discover the bad break, and followed with a club. This was not a success, for West won and led another heart for his partner to take the next five tricks. In effect, declarer was hoping that East held both black aces as well as his heart suit. But was it not likely that, in that case, East might have double the opening bid rather than make a simple overcall?

At the other table South foresaw this possibility and introduced a neat diversion by allowing East's ten of hearts to win the first trick. East fell for it - he decided that declarer had played low from HAxx and that leading another heart would cost a trick. He switched to a club: West took his ace and led another heart but now it was all too late - with the help of the marked diamond finesse, South had his nine tricks.