Hand of the Week

East passes and South innocently opens 1C.

West can overcall 1D, but Double is a much better bid, keeping both majors in play.

North thinks "I bet they have a big spade fit, I need to go high right away." Count your losers - FIVE ! Even if partner opened on three clubs, you have a big fit in clubs and lots of ruffing. I think 5C is high enough, although if partner is a 7-loser then slam is possible.

Most North-South pairs reached 5C and South had a shock when they saw dummy.   "Thank you very much partner !"

You ruff the DA lead in dummy, draw trumps in two rounds, and now you can crossruff hearts and diamonds, keeping careful watch on the hearts.  (you don't even need the heart finesse). Ace of hearts, ruff a heart, ruff a diamond, ruff a heart, ruff a diamond, ruff a heart (East showing out), ruff a diamond, ruff a heart and now the King drops and the last three hearts in dummy are good. 12 tricks.

You know from the opening lead that West has the king of diamonds, so if you want to show off you can play a 'ruffing finesse' in diamonds - lead the Queen and if West covers with the King then the Jack is high and you can use it to pitch the spade loser.   If West doesn't cover the Queen of diamonds then you just bravely throw the spade. 13 tricks !

- Giles