Another of my pet theories is that you can bid boldly with a good 5-5 hand, but you had better be cautious when you are short in spades. This deal illustrates both points nicely.

J8752 K10 42 7532 3 QJ K8653 AQ1064 AK A8765432 A K9 Q10964 9 QJ1097 J8 North East South West 3 4 4 2 East led the A

North's 3-bid was normal. East's 4-bid was technically an underbid, but let's consider South's action. The lack of top cards in his two long suits is actually favorable to South for stretching his normal 3-bid. The A-K are likely to be played off early. In a regular Spades game, one might consider the tactical Third-Seat Underbid, but in duplicate it pays to bid 'em up. After all, the fourth player might go nil. South bid a bold 4.

Now it was West's turn. With only a single spade and the bid already at 11, West had no business bidding the full value of her hand. West bid an unwise 2. Even considering East's underbid, the E/W team was on thin ice. The bid could be made, but a single slip would be fatal.

East cashed the two red aces and played a heart, on which South discarded a club. Winning the K, North played his last diamond. East chose to trump with the K and now the hand was lost. A club went to East's A. When East tried to cash the K, North trumped. East overtrumped with the A, but that was her side's fifth and final trick.

Incredibly, East/West's score of -60 points was not a bottom. Another East/West pair bid 5+2 and received -70 points for their efforts. As for North/South, making their 7-bid would have been a fine score even without the set bonus. So folks, listen up. Cool it when you're short in spades.