What do you think of South’s judgement/arithmetic on this week’s deal? One thing was certain — he did not worry too much about his point-count or the text-books.

At game all South opened One No-trump (15-17 points) and, in the modern style, North responded Two Hearts — a transfer to Spades.

Now, take a care, it may be routine at duplicate, but don’t try it with a strange partner at the rubber bridge table — you may well find yourself laying in some very odd Two Heart contracts!)

South, awaiting his partner’s intentions, dutifully rebid Two Spades and now North bid Two No-Trumps. The message was clear — he held the values to raise One No-trump to Two, he held five Spades, and that he held no other suit.

This left South with a text-book decision — with a maximum No-trump he would choose between Four Spades (with at least three-card support) or Three No-trumps. With a minimum he would either pass or go back to Three Spades.

In practice, South had a minimum (15 points) and support for Spades. A shrewd, practical player he bid Three No-trumps.

As you can see, this contract depended simply on a successful Spade finesse (a reasonable bet) and there was no possible play for Four Spades.