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

Seeing all four hands, it is difficult to see how East-West went down in their bid, and how it was possible for South to win a diamond trick. The rot began when West dropped a frivolous jack of hearts under the ace at Trick One. He played the eight on the heart continuation, completing a high-low signal that universally indicates a doubleton.

North won the heart and led the queen of diamonds to West's ace. East took the diamond return and cashed two top clubs. Now East played his third heart, expecting Pard to ruff. Instead, West followed suit as South shed the jack of clubs and North ruffed. North cashed his jack of diamonds and led the jack of spades. When East inserted the queen, South won and played back a spade. East made the ace of trumps (of course) but South won the rest with two high spades and the thirteenth diamond.