
Signal received… but misinterpreted

In bridge, a “Santa Claus” is a player who keeps giving gifts to their opponents. On defense, they will often let a contract make that should have gone down. Would you do better than our Santa Claus against this 3NT?
The bidding (North dealer, East–West vulnerable)


Bidding notes:
North has a hand too strong to open 1NT, with 17 HCP, a fine five-card suit, and seven immediate tricks. After West’s overcall, his double shows three Spades with a sound opening.
South’s jump to 3♠ shows a five-card suit and 8–9 HCP.
The opening lead
West leads the Ace of Diamonds. East follows with the 2 and South with the 4. He continues with the King, for East’s 9 and South’s Jack…




Interesting hand and great article. There is a small error in the writeup. The 2 of D shows an odd number of cards, not even (standard count).