North K Q 10 9 2 J 5 10 6 4 2 Q 6 West J 7 10 8 6 2 A K Q 9 7 K 7 East 8 A K Q 4 8 7 5 10 9 8 4 2 South A 6 5 4 3 9 7 3 3 A J 5 3 The bidding: West North East South 2 4 2 4 West led the K

A player with spade length can often explore a position by underleading an ace. This tactic enables him to keep control of a suit while also retaining an entry to the suit.

Anxious to get his two tricks quickly, West made the normal start of leading the top diamonds. South trumped the second diamond and decided to test the spades right away. A low spade went to North's queen, and the mandatory spade return put South in the lead once again with the ace.

Now South needed to explore the club position. He underled an ace for the second time by placing the three of clubs on the table. West made the normal second-hand-low play of the seven, but this time it was his undoing. North won the queen of clubs and again returned partner's suit, South's ace dropping West's bare king. The jack of clubs enabled North to pitch a heart, limiting East and West to only two winners on the deal.