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

Let me remark that I do not agree with the East-West bidding; each player could have gone at least one higher. But everybody has their own ideas about Spades.

North did the best he could by bidding 1, and now South faced a rousing table total of 6. Since spade length should encourage bold bidding, South, with just a collection of rags, calmly announced his bid of 5!

Play started with the king of clubs, followed by the ace on which East threw the queen and South trumped. A low heart went to East's queen, and the ace of hearts continuation dropped partner's king. East gave partner a heart ruff for their side's fifth trick. After West exited with a low spade, both East-West players shifted into dumping gear, helping North and South to scoop up everything in sight. The result was a successful bid for each side plus one overtrick apiece--and East rudely discussed with West how he could have avoided their bag.

An essential ingredient of conservative bidding is the tossing of high cards to avoid bags. The combination of these strategies helps the opponents to bring home unmakeable overbids. After the deal, North dryly commented to his partner, "I suppose if you had had another spade you would have bid seven."