Spy novelist John le Carre said, "For better or worse, I've been involved in the description of political conflict."

At the bridge table, giving an accurate description of your hand will, almost all the time, work for the better.

Today's deal was played in a social game. What do you think of the auction?

The first five calls are fine, although South might have overcalled one spade. (He bid two because his partner was a passed hand.) Then North chose to pass, hoping the bidding would end. But since she was willing to bid to three spades, she should have done it immediately, making life harder for the opener.

Then came the most clear-cut error. East should have rebid three clubs, not three hearts. Why not show the second suit?

After two passes, North balanced with three spades, which ended the auction, East resisting the temptation to bid four clubs.

West ought to have led the heart three, but chose the diamond jack. Declarer, wondering if he had missed game, won with dummy's ace and called for a trump. East's heart discard was a shock. Suddenly there were five possible losers: two spades, one heart, one diamond and one club. Hoping for the best, South won with his ace and led the heart queen.

East won and returned the diamond queen, but declarer took the trick with his king and led a club. East won and played back the suit. South led the heart jack and ruffed East's ace, trumped a club on the board, discarded his diamond loser on the heart 10, and claimed.

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