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

North began with the ace and another diamond. East ruffed with the three of spades and led a heart to partner's queen. When West returned a diamond, South could only watch helplessly as North ruffed futilely with the eight, overruffed with the nine. Another heart put West in again. He cashed a third heart and back came another diamond.

Once again South had to suffer the sight of his partner being overruffed. The ace of clubs and a club ruff completed the carnage. North-South were set.

The way to stop enemy ruffs is to lead spades. North had to ruff a diamond with the king and lead a trump to South's ace-queen. Alternately, he could have discarded hearts.

"Good work, partner," said North after the hand. "We stuck them with four bags."

"Excuse me," said South. "I need some aspirin."