Your partner means well. He wants to stay on the true path. But it is easy to get lost in the dark. Won't you shine a light for dear Pard?

K4 107532 AQ94 Q5 8 KQ986 5 1087643 J9762 J KJ103 AJ2 AQ1053 A4 8762 K9 East South West North 4 6 nil nil South led the A

After East bid 4 and South made a 6-bid, their respective partners each hazarded a nil bid. These nils may not be up to snuff for the regular game, but this is duplicate Spades after all.

South led the A, collecting the K from West and the 10 from his partner. Now what? With no guidance, South tried the 8 and was relieved when East took over the lead. East continued with the K. When North discarded, East knew the right path to take. Two more diamonds allowed West to shed another two hearts. As a bonus, North was forced to win the fourth diamond with the A.

Where was the light to guide South? Go back to Trick #1. Suppose North drops the 2 under South's ace. What could be more obvious? "I'm safe in hearts, Partner. If you're lost, let your heart guide you."

A second heart from South would force East to trump and take over the lead, and now it would be East's turn to grope in the dark. He still might find the correct path of the diamond leads, but straying from this course in any other way would give South a chance to gain the lead and rescue his partner with a run of the spade suit. North had a chance to light the way.