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

It is a bad idea to give your opponents a ruff and sluff. But if they muff it, it was a good idea.

West gathered in his two heart tricks and led a third heart, East winning the queen. When the king and ace of clubs also stood up, East-West had their bid. Now East wanted two more tricks for a set. He had one trick in the ace of diamonds but the bidding made it clear Pard had neither the king nor a spade honor. Rather than lead a diamond and concede defeat, East tried a third club.

This lead would have clinched the bid for North-South if South had had the discipline to discard. (The ruff should be taken in the hand with shorter trump.) Instead, he ruffed. This action did not help North, who had no useful discard.

North 8 2 -- K Q 9 -- West -- J 7 4 2 J East -- -- A J 3 9 4 South K J -- 10 8 6 --

North threw a diamond. Finally, South was able to lead a spade. North won the queen and cashed the ace. The hand was still not over yet. (See second diagram).

North played the king of diamonds. East thought this over and decided the card was played with the confidence of someone who held both the king and the queen. He therefore ducked, and finished by making both the ace and jack for the set.