BRIDGE

This deal was a good one for the technicians but, when it came up in a French pairs event, the best play was not always found. I was one of the unlucky Easts, as the declarer at my table knew what he was doing. Such is life ...

Playing a Continental system. South opened Two Clubs - not his strongest bid, which would have been Two Diamonds, but equivalent to an Acol Two. North relayed with Two Diamonds and, after several more rounds of bidding, they ended in the best spot of Six Hearts.

My partner led the king of clubs and, after winning, declarer drew trumps. You can see what happens (as it did at several tables) if he goes for the overtrick and hopes that the jack of spades will fall in three rounds - it does not, and South ends by losing two diamonds. No such luck!

Instead, judging that he was in a good contract, South played for safety. He continued by leading the nine of spades and covering with dummy's ten. If I had taken this, declarer could have claimed immediately but at least I avoided that trap and ducked. It did not help. Next came a diamond finesse, losing to the queen.

The club lead was ruffed and the queen of spades overtaken in dummy. When the jack did not fall on the next top spade, the lead was on the table for a second (and successful) diamond finesse. I think I remembered to say "Bien joue!"

GAME ALL: dealer South

North

] A K 10 8 7

_ 6 4

+ 7 6 3

[ 10 5 2

West East

] 6 2 ] J 5 4 3

_ 9 8 5 _ 7 2

+ Q 8 2 + K 9 5

[ K Q J 9 7 [ 8 6 4 3

South

] Q 9

_ A K Q J 10 3

+ A J 10 4

[ A