Bridge: July 14, 2024

You’ve been called to serve on a grand jury, investigating the result of today’s deal: to wit, that North-South were minus 100 points when they might have done better. The prosecuting attorney presents the evidence. Decide whether to issue any true bills.

South opened one spade, North responded 1NT and South then leaped to four spades, passed out. West led a trump. Declarer won, led a diamond to dummy’s ace and returned the queen of hearts to finesse.

West took the king and led another trump, and South was headed for a minus. He drew trumps, cashed his A-J of hearts and exited with a diamond, but East won with the nine and led the queen. Declarer had to ruff that and eventually was obliged to lead clubs from his hand. He lost two clubs to East’s jack and ace and went down one.

So what say you?

South’s bid of four spades didn’t rise to the level of a chargeable offense, but it was questionable. South might well judge to play at notrump; most experts would do so with a running spade suit and semi-balanced pattern. If South raises North’s 1NT to 3NT, North will surely take nine tricks.

South’s play, though, was indictable. At the third trick South must lead the three of hearts to his jack. If the finesse won, South would take the ace, ruff his eight in dummy and lead toward his king of clubs to try for an overtrick.

When instead West takes the king of hearts and leads a second trump, declarer draws trumps and gets back to dummy with the queen of hearts for a club lead. He makes his game when East has the ace.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S 5 2

H Q 3

D A J 6 3

C 10 8 5 4 2

WEST

S 10 9 8

H K 9 5 2

D K 10 8 4

C Q 7

EAST

S 7 4

H 10 7 6 4

D Q 9 7

C A J 9 6

SOUTH

S A K Q J 6 3

H A J 8

D 5 2

C K 3

South West North East
1 S Pass 1 NT Pass
4 S All Pass
Opening lead — S 10

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