You are never out of it in Duplicate Spades. Today's East/West pair had a miserable 33% game after the first three boards, but eventually won the event with a magnificent 65% game. How did they achieve their comeback? No doubt they embraced the philosophy of the Baltimore Orioles former manager Earl Weaver, who explained his own secret of success. "Sit back and wait for the 3-run homer."

2 AKJ85 65 J10542 AQ107 732 AK108 AQ J9865 QJ9 Q K873 K43 64 J97432 96 West North East South 6 nil 5 1 North led the 5

West's aggressive 6-bid and North's nil were quite reasonable, considering that the event was a Duplicate Spades tournament. Now East saw a chance to swing for the bleachers and took it. Where did that 5-bid come from? Once again, that's how duplicate events are won.

There was little to the play. Ignoring the nil, East/West set about making 11 tricks. South cut hearts once and was allowed to make the K at the finish, but that was all for North/South.

The nil was duly bid and made at all the tables, as was South's bid of either 1 or 2. East/West's 110-point score was the 3-run homer that gave them a clear top since no other E/W ventured beyond the 10-level.