Bridge

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2022

Declarer put up the club ace and played off the king of hearts as East discarded the deuce of spades. A spade to the queen lost to the king as West returned the ten of clubs driving out the king. South continued with a diamond to the king followed by a spade. East rose with the ace, cashed the queen of clubs and led a spade. South ruffed but West pitched a diamond and declarer attempted to cash two diamonds. West ruffed to exit with a trump and was still entitled to the heart queen culminating in a two-trick set, N-S -200. Declarer could finished one in the glue but that would be a small consolation. The 5-0 trump break was horrific and doomed the contract but North was the guilty party, in my view. Holding a pancake pattern without a ruffing value, he should raise partner's 1NT rebid to 3NT. West will again begin with the jack of clubs but nine tricks are assured by driving out the queen of hearts. The defense could cash three spade winners but South will finish with nine tricks and the game bonus.