I’ve heard it said that an obstinate man doesn’t hold opinions; they hold him. Some players view ignoring a rule — such as playing “second hand low” on defense — as a crime on the same level as bank robbery.

Today’s North-South bid boldly to 3NT. In some partnerships, North’s “reverse” to two hearts might have shown extra strength even after South’s two-over-one response. With only a single spade stopper and a broken club suit, South might have settled for a three-club rebid at his second turn.

Against the notrump game, West led a spade, and South ducked East’s nine and won the next spade. He led a heart to dummy’s ace and returned a club. East followed with the five, and declarer played the ten.

West had to take his jack, and when he led a second heart, South took the K-Q and led another club. When Easts king appeared, South ran the suit. At the end, West had to save his jack of hearts and East had to save a spade; neither defender could keep two diamonds. Dummy’s jack won the 13th trick, and South made two overtricks.

When West took the king of clubs, he could have held South to 10 tricks by leading a diamond or returning a club, but East must have thought playing “second hand low” was criminal. If East puts up his king on the first club — and he can lose nothing by doing so — South goes down. The best South can do is play low to keep a link with his hand, but then East cashes three spades. If instead South takes his ace of clubs, he wins only two clubs and only seven tricks in all.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable

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