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

East was a conservative bidder. The holding AK64 ought to be worth a three bid in any system. By contrast, South was one of those optimistic bidders who always counted an ace-queen combination as two tricks. Counting two more for the spade suit, his call was four.

Looking ahead, South knew he had to wait for a diamond lead, and that he must not get trapped into leading diamonds from his own hand. North started with two club winners and continued a third round. South gave no thought at all to trumping, knowing the lead would pass to West. West won perforce and found the ace and king of hearts to lead. He was pleased to drop South's queen, and continued a third heart, not minding if South ruffed.

Once again South refused to ruff. To do so would not gain a trick, but more importantly, breaking spades would allow East to gain the lead to push diamonds. South discarded, and West had no choice at this point; he had to place a diamond on the table. South won two diamond tricks, as advertised.