Bridge

IN THE old days, players made 'Two over One' responses with distinctly limited values but now the tendency is for them to be sound even if not forcing to game. This helps to explain North's awkward-looking bidding on this entertaining deal.

Game all; dealer South North S. 6 H. 10 4 D. K Q 9 8 6 2 C. K J 10 4 West S. K Q 8 5 2 H. 9 D. J 10 5 C. Q 9 8 5 East S. 9 3 H. Q 8 7 5 2 D. A 4 C. A 7 6 2 South S. A J 10 7 4 H. A K J 6 3 D. 7 3 C. 3 South opened one Spade and North responded One No-trump. South's Two Hearts was not music to North's ears, but Three Diamonds now would have made good sense. Instead, North persisted with Two No- trumps and, equally stubborn, South ended the auction with Three Hearts.

To protect his spades, West led the 9 of hearts and the 10 went to the queen and ace. After the ace of spades and a spade ruff, declared led the 10 of diamonds from the table. East took his ace and led the 2 of trumps. Still in the dark, South won with his king, cashed the queen of diamonds and ruffed a diamond.

Next came a club to the 10 and ace, and East, who now had a complete count of the hand, exited with the ace of hearts. South won and led his last trump -the 6. East still had 7 and 5 of hearts but if he takes his two trump winners must concede the rest of the tricks to dummy. He countered neatly, playing the 5 of trumps and letting the 6 win] Now as declarer, on lead, had only spades left, West was able to win the next two tricks, leaving East to settle matters with his final trump.