Bridge Column for November 20, 1994 East-West vulnerable. South deals. NORTH S: 9 6 H: A K Q 6 4 2 D: Q 10 6 5 4 C: V o i d WEST EAST S: K 10 7 3 S: Q J 8 2 H: 3 H: J 9 D: A D: J C: A K J 10 9 7 3 C: Q 8 6 5 4 2 SOUTH S: A 5 4 H: 10 8 7 5 D: K 9 8 7 3 2 C: V o i d SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST Pass 1C 1H 3C 4H 4S 5D Pass 5H Pass Pass 5S Pass Pass Double Pass Pass Pass This hand was dealt at a local duplicate bridge game. The variety of contracts available and the results obtained are what make this hand of interest. The auction shown would be common, and in fact, five spades, in the West, doubled was the contract three out of the nine times that this hand was played. This contract makes for an East-West score of plus 850. One East-West pair was allowed to play five clubs doubled. This contract also made but only scored plus 750. One East-West pair pushed on to six clubs, undoubled, defeated one trick for minus 100. The other four times the hand was played the bidding was won by the North-South pair. The best North-South result went to the pair that reached six hearts, were doubled, and received the opening lead of a small club from East. The opening lead ruff and sluff allowed this contract to make for plus 1210. One pair played five hearts, doubled, making for plus 750. Two pairs played five hearts, undoubled, making for plus 450. The only conceivable reason that the East-West partnership could have for allowing North-South to buy this contract below the six level is the belief that a five level contract could be defeated. Keep in mind that when you can determine that your side has a two suited fit it must follow that the opponents also have a two suited fit, even if they are not aware of it. The side that has the spade fit should force the auction as high as possible to ensure a decent duplicate bridge result on the hand.