North Q 10 5 2 Q J 6 K Q J 8 7 2 West 8 4 8 5 4 2 9 7 3 K Q J 10 East A K J 7 3 10 9 3 A 8 2 9 6 South 9 6 A K 7 10 6 5 4 A 5 4 3 The bidding: West North East South 1 3 5 3 West led the K

West led the king of clubs, North following with the deuce and East with the nine. South, an expert player, read the hands correctly and craftily held up the club ace. West continued clubs, but the damage had already been done. This time South took the ace.

South and North played on the red suits. When East came in with the ace of diamonds he could not reach his partner's hand; communications had been snipped. All told, North-South took eight tricks: a club, three hearts, two diamonds, and eventually two spades--enough to sink East-West.

Had South not held up the club ace, East could have led a club to his partner. Play on clubs by West assures his side's bid.