Woody Allen said, “Capital punishment would be more effective as a preventive measure if it were administered prior to the crime.”

In a Britcom called “Red Dwarf,” there was an episode in which anyone on a prison ship who, for example, tried to stab another felon, he was the person stabbed.

At the bridge table, when a player makes a poor bid, it is not always punished – as was the case in this deal.

After East opened one club, South was strong for his one-heart overcall, but his diamond void counseled against making a takeout double. Then North ought to have passed, but she dredged up a two-heart raise. South jumped to game, wondering if a slam was being missed. (If North had passed, presumably East would have balanced with two clubs, or maybe even two diamonds. Then South would have rebid in hearts and perhaps game would still have been reached.)

Although North had garbage, it was perfect garbage!

South took the first trick with his club ace over East’s jack and cashed the heart ace, dropping East’s king. Now dummy had an entry. Declarer continued with a low heart. West went in with her jack and shifted to a diamond. South ruffed East’s ace (really disappointing both defenders), crossed to the heart nine, and led the spade queen, which was covered by the king and ace. Declarer cashed his other two spades, then played a club to the queen. He lost only one heart and two clubs.

Yes, South could have even gained an overtrick by playing to ruff a club in the dummy.