BRIDGE

Today's hand, recounted to me by bridge's elder statesman Tony Priday is from yesteryear, as is evidenced by the bidding.

South opened with One No-Trump and North jumped to Three Hearts, which in those days showed a five-card heart suit. (Nowadays North would have bid Two Diamonds, a transfer to hearts.) In spite of holding three card heart support, with his sterile 3-3-3-4 shape, South exercised good judgment in rebidding Three No-Trumps rather than Four Hearts - a contract that is doomed to failure.

Playing fourth-highest leads, West led the two of spades to East's king, and the three of spades return removed dummy's ace, as well as confirming the 4-4 spade break. One heart trick must inevitably be lost, so declarer led the heart four from the table at trick three. Winning with the ten, East played a third spade, to South's queen. Declarer fell from grace by next playing a heart to dummy's ace. With no outside entry to dummy, the 4-1 heart break spelled defeat - eight tricks now being the limit of the hand.

Once both East and West had followed to one round of hearts the contract was assured, so long as the defensive carding in spades was honest.

Declarer could have afforded to lose two tricks in each of the majors. Therefore ducking in hearts for a second time would have brought declarer the three tricks in the suit needed to fulfil the nine trick contract.

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