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

When presented with a ruff and sluff, it's usually best that the ruff is taken by the player who is short in spades. Usually is not always.

Neither North nor South could nil, and East and West bid aggressively, going for the 10-trick bonus. The ace and king of clubs won the first two tricks, and West won the heart switch with the ace. There followed two rounds of diamonds and a second heart won by the king. Spades hadn't been broken, so East was required to play his third heart.

South gave no thought to ruffing; maybe partner could win. He discarded his last diamond as West won. Now West was forced to lead a diamond. East ruffed with the jack and was overruffed with the queen. South led a club in this position, as East-West needed the remainder:

North 6 2 9 -- Q 3 West A 5 J J 6 -- East K 9 8 7 4 -- -- -- South 10 3 -- -- J 7 5

West ruffed with the five and the bid was blown; even East's overtake couldn't help. West won the next trick with the ace of spades, and whatever he returned promoted South's ten to the setting trick.

If West had been counting, he would have let Pard trump the club. Then two rounds of spades spells finis for North-South.