H.H. Asquith, the British prime minister from 1908 to 1916, said, “The War Office kept three sets of figures: one to mislead the public, another to mislead the Cabinet, and the third to mislead itself.”

A bridge bid that is made without the normal highcard requirements might backfire when it misleads partner. But it could work wonderfully if it deceives an opponent.

In yesterday’s column, West passed as dealer. When South ended in four spades, West took the first three tricks with high diamonds. Then South knew that East had the club queen; otherwise, West would have opened the bidding. Today, West opened one diamond – do you agree?

Although 10 high-card points would not normally justify a one-level opening bid, there was a strong case with this hand. West was naming a powerful suit, he had no rebid problem (a key factor), and if he could find a fit with partner, his void would surely prove beneficial .

After one diamond – pass – one heart, South was right to overcall one spade. He was not quite strong enough to double first, then to show his spades, which typically would require at least 18 high-card points. North jumped to four spades, getting to the 10-trick with a 10-card fit. But with 5-3-3-2 distribution, this was an overbid.

West cashed three top diamonds. When East discarded the heart king (top of touching honors as he was not winning the trick), West shifted to the heart nine.

Understandably, declarer drew trumps, then finessed in clubs through West because he had opened the bidding. Here, that resulted in an unlucky down one.