Goren bridge: Careless play – The Hindu

North’s second double showed extra values in a hand that could not raise spades. South might have bid four diamonds instead of four spades, but it was reasonable to take a shot at game. East won the opening heart lead and continued the suit. South ruffed, led a low spade to dummy’s ace, and a spade back to his jack. West took his queen and led another heart, which South had to ruff. South cashed the king of spades, his last trump, and ran his clubs. West ruffed the fifth club and led a diamond. South had to lose a diamond trick and finished down one. South did not play this hand properly. Can you spot what he did wrong?

South should have expected that the hearts would split 6-3 after this bidding. He should simply have discarded a diamond at trick two instead of ruffing. He could then ruff the third heart and play the spades the same way. This time, when West won his queen, he would have no heart to lead. West would shift to a diamond, but South should play dummy’s ace and cross to his hand with the queen of clubs. The king-jack of spades would draw the trumps and allow both of dummy’s remaining diamonds to be discarded. South could then claim with all good clubs in dummy.