Dealer East
Game all


Bernie
♠ A K Q 7 6 2
♥ A J 9
♦ 8
♣ 5 3 2


Stepec
♠ 8 5
♥ 4 2
♦ Q 2
♣ K Q J 10 8 7 6


Dicko
♠ J 10 9 4 3
♥ K Q 7 3
♦ A 9 4
♣ A


Mary mary
♠ -
♥ 10 8 6 5
♦ K J 10 7 6 5 3
♣ 9 4




  

Dicko
Bernie
Stepec
Mary mary
  
  



Pass
2♦
  
  

Dbl
2♠
3♣
3♦
  
  

Pass
Pass
4♣
Pass
  
  

Pass
Pass


  
  

Mary led ♦J and after some agonising I let this run to my ♦Q.  I felt sure Bernie would hold ♥A, so I thought I’d got it made now.  I would lose just two spades and the ace of hearts.

I crossed to ♣A and with no way back to hand, led ♥K.  Now Bernie led the ace of spades.  I was waiting to lose the second round of spades, then ruff the third round high, draw trumps and claim.  But Bernie had a long think and then led a small spade instead of ♠K.   Mary ruffed, of course, and played a diamond for Bernie to ruff.  One down!

It’s an obvious defence looking at all four hands – but I’m not sure I’d have thought of it in time as North.  Would you?

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