Tom Wilson, an actor who died in 1965, said, “About the only time losing is more fun than winning is when you’re fighting temptation.”

There are a lot of things in life that we find near-impossible to resist, even though we feel in our bones that in the long run we would be better off avoiding them.

Some bridge bids and plays fall into that category. One is in today’s deal. South is in four spades. After West leads the heart jack, what should be the outcome?

When South rebid two spades, he guaranteed at least a six-card suit. With only five spades, he would have shown another suit, rebid in no-trump, or raised clubs.

East wins the first trick with his king, cashes the ace, and continues with another heart. What should South do?

What was the opening lead? Given that South has the 10, it must have been high from a doubleton. Since West is itching to overruff, South trumps with his spade 10. What does West do?

In the real world, West will greedily overruff with his jack, giving in to the temptation of winning a trick. Then, though, South wins West’s shift in his hand and runs the spade queen (unless West covers with his king, of course). The spade finesse works, declarer plays another spade, and claims when both opponents follow suit.

Now go back to trick three. West must discard, resisting the temptation to overruff. He is guaranteed to get two trump tricks. Try it and see.

Do not overruff with an honor that will win a trick later, unless you have something vital to do.

United Feature Syndicate