	NORTH T85 J6432 QT A62
KJ9 K9 KJ32 JT98		A432 5 A965 K743
	Q76 AQT87 874 Q5

Dealer: North Vul: NS MP Scoring

West

2
Pass

North
Pass
4
Pass

East
1
X

South
1
Pass

Just Short of a Forcing Auction

East's minimal opener loomed larger opposite West's encouragement.
Having promised only 3 diamonds, having an expected 4 for the

1 opener, 2.5 quick tricks on defence at favourable vulnerability seemed better than risking a nebulous 5

contract that may or may not be raised to slam.
No forcing auction had been established (Pass would not have been forcing).

West started a diamond to East's A.
East's 4 was led to try to encourage a club switch.
West won the J and switched to a club, won by East's K
Two more spades and a diamond finally had declarer on lead, down 3 so far (-800) with the offside K to be lost.

The Law of Total Tricks was again disproved.