Bridge: Cautionary tale

'SHOULD I have settled quietly for one off?' asked South, after this competitive deal. 'Or played as I did, with an equal chance of success or going two off?'. If his partner had been less tactful, he would have suggested making the contract without too much risk.

Game all; dealer West

North

10 9 8 7 6 5

A K 4

none

9 7 6 4

West

A Q 4

Q 7 5

J 9 2

A K Q 3

East

K J 2

6

Q 10 8 3

J 10 8 5 2

South

3

J 10 9 8 3 2

A K 7 6 5 4

none

West opened One Club. North overcalled with One Spade and East raised cautiously to Two Clubs. This left South a problem and he contented himself with a peaceful Two Hearts. West tried Two No-trumps, North raised to Three Hearts and East bounced to Five Clubs. A pass would have ensured a small plus score, but South ploughed on with Five Diamonds. This - and North's correction to Five Hearts - were doubled by West.

Declarer ruffed the opening club lead, cashed his two top diamonds and ruffed a diamond with dummy's four of hearts. He came back to hand with a club ruff, established his diamonds with another ruff on the table and cashed the ace of trumps. Then he came back to hand with another club ruff.

At this stage, he only had two trumps left and there were two outstanding. In the hope that these were 1-1, he led another trump and now made only one more trick. Had he led winning diamonds instead, he would have ensured going only one off.

Try the effect of ruffing the two diamonds in dummy with the ace and king of trumps. Then declarer can force out West's queen of trumps without shortening himself in the process. After ruffing the return, he can draw the last trumps and then enjoy his winning diamonds.