Sometimes you get forced into a "funny" contract - another decision in the bidding might result in a big adverse swing. This happed to young Chris Webb from Blythewood SC in the Swiss Team Event at the Hendersonville Sectional in late June.

Vul: none | Dealer East

North	East	South	West
	1S	P	P
D'ble	2D	P	2S
D'ble	P	3H	AP

Chris was wary of passing 2S, although it would probably go down two or three tricks, and chose his three card heart suit as trumps. He was a "tad" disappointed when only three trumps showed up in dummy, but he gave it a great effort. A spade was lead and three rounds were played (East pitched a diamond) and Chris ruffed with the nine of hearts.

Now came the key play...Chris cashed the Ace of hearts and was rewarded when the King fell. It is rare to play trumps when you are in a three-three fit, but he could not afford an over ruff and a trump return at any point. The bidding seemed to indicate that West would be short in hearts and was he ever!

Chris now cashed the Diamond Ace, lead a club to the King, hooked the Ten of Clubs and cashed the Ace. He ruffed the two of clubs with the heart ten and his fourth spade with the heart Queen and still had to score the Jack of hearts. He scored 3 clubs, a diamond, and five heart tricks for his total of nine tricks.