North felt he had nowhere to go when his partner bid hearts over his diamond overcall of 1ª. The defenders, members of the Daily Bulletin staff, were playing in a matchpoint game.

Dealer West. Game NS ª K Q 9 8 4 © — ¨ A Q J 6 5 § 9 6 2 ª A J 10 6 5 ª 7 © Q 9 6 © J 10 7 4 3 ¨ 10 ¨ K 7 4 3 2 § A K J 4 § Q 10 ª 3 2 © A K 8 5 3 ¨ 9 8 § 8 7 5 3 West North East South 1ª 2¨ Pass 2© Pass Pass Pass!

Perhaps East was a bit wimpy in not doubling, but East-West scored well anyway. West led the §K, and after studying partner's 10 for a moment, switched to her singleton diamond. Declarer finessed, losing to the king, and East cashed his §Q. Next he fired back a diamond, ruffed, and West took her top clubs before cashing her ªA and giving her partner a spade ruff. East returned a diamond, ruffed by declarer with the 8 and overruffed by West. West led another spade, East ruffing with the 10, and declarer was limited to just two tricks - the ace and king of trumps - for down six. Minus 600 was far better than any game East-West might have made, but game was far from a sure thing East-West.