Absolute Par

11th June–Board 12. North/south Game. Dealer West.

Yet another tricky decision making hand at a high level although looking at the scores it would appear that most North/South pairs never found their spade fit at all.

	North: S A 9 8 6 4 H 9 D K Q 9 7 5 3 C K
West: S 5 H A 10 5 3 2 D J 10 C Q 10 9 8 7		East: S Q J 3 H K Q J 8 6 D 8 6 2 C A 3
	South: S K 10 7 2 H 7 4 D A 4 C J 6 5 4 2

West	North	East	South
No	1D	1H	Dbl
4H	4S	No	No
5H	No	No	Dbl
End

South’s initial double shows a four card spade holding – with five or more he would bid 1S – so it is surprising that so many pairs were allowed to play in 4H which makes due to the obliging fall of the king of clubs under the ace. In any event 5H is a cheap save against 4S and ten tricks is the limit for North/South, so absolute par is attained.