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Here is a rare occurrence – brilliance in defense and declarer play by one team on the same deal. At one table Max Rebattu as South heard his partner open a strong club and East bid hearts, while West competed in clubs. Eventually Rebattu declared three no-trump on the club-10 lead ducked around to him. Naturally enough he took this with his jack – wouldn’t you? But that proved to be fatal.

If Michel Lebel as East had won the first trick with his club queen, declarer makes by setting up the diamonds and hearts without letting West get on lead. But once Rebattu had taken the first trick, his fate was sealed. As soon as Lebel got the lead in the red suits, he could play his remaining club for down three.

The action from the other room, where Paul Chemla reached four hearts on the auction shown, is also admirable. On a spade lead, Chemla won in dummy and cashed the heart ace. Now came two more rounds of spades and a diamond to the 10 and king. Back came a diamond to declarer’s queen, followed by a club to dummy’s king.

Chemla now cashed the diamond ace and led the 13th diamond.

East accurately ruffed with the nine, but Chemla overruffed and exited from hand with a club. West took the trick and led another club, allowing East to overruff dummy’s small trump. But East was then endplayed to lead into the K-J of hearts: contract made.

Bid with the aces

South holds:

Answer: You might redouble, bid one heart, or bid one no-trump. I do not like the redouble – you are not quite strong enough and have no way of describing your hand over opponents’ spade bids. One heart is fine for values, but on this auction I’d rather have a better suit. If I could bid one no-trump instead to show 7-10 and no (biddable) major, that would be my choice.