North was dealt the KQ32 and South the AJ, yet between them they could only manage two trump winners. How could this possibly happen? Herein lies a tale.

West allowed the J to ride at Trick 1, losing to North's K. When North switched to the J, South gave no thought to a finesse from her 7-card suit. She grabbed the A and North/South were off to a flying start.

KQ32 J K98743 65 65 K54 AQ62 KJ104 109874 76 J A8732 AJ AQ109832 105 Q9 North East South West 3 4 2 3 East led the J

South exited with her last diamond, taken by West's Q, on which East discarded his last heart. Here's where it gets amusing. West tried to cash the K. North trumped with the 3 only to be overtrumped with the 4. East took the A and led to West's K, and now West made the fine play of a spade.

North and West were old rivals. North had been outfoxed more than once by West's tendency to underlead the Ace of trumps, and North would be damned rather than allow West to get away with this sneaky business yet another time. On West's 5, North bounced with the K, catching her partner's J.

North's diamond return went to West's A, as both of the other players declined to cut. Now West produced a second spade lead. Still mesmerized by West's well-known tactics, North went in this time with the Q!

Post Mortem

North's only consolation is that this was Internet play. You cannot see your partner's glare from across the table. If there is any moral to this story it is that the underlead of the Ace of trumps is such a powerful stroke you should make this play even when you don't have the Ace.