BRIDGE

South could not avoid the loss of two hearts and two clubs and the contract finished down two, N-S -500.

East had pounced on five spades via a penalty double because he owned two aces and sensed that South was out on a limb. His reasoning was correct on this occasion and the double protected against success in the minor suit game. This result harnessed N-S with a matchpoint zero because the opponents were white but his side was red.

In fact, East would easily make the minor suit game losing the diamond ace and a heart to score +400. This result might constitute a good matchpoint award for E-W but was unlikely to be a top.

From South's perspective, he would need partner to hold the ace and king of hearts to have any chance of eleven tricks. North's weak jump to the spade game denied values and, therefore, South should pass five diamonds. If North owns a high heart, there would be some chance of defeating the minor suit game.

It certainly appears that South was unaware of the vulnerability on this deal and advanced to five spades to his peril.