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

When there are two nils on the table, the second nil is usually riskier than the first. In fact, it may be downright bizarre!

There was nothing wrong with East's nil. When the bidding came around to fourth position, North felt the only way to stay in the game was to match East with a nil of his own. The opening heart lead was won by West's jack. Hoping to give Partner some discards, West led a high heart but it was South who showed out. West tried one more heart; on this trick, North trumped with the queen of spades!

South chuckled as he won the king. He won two diamonds as East gratefully shed the ace of clubs. South switched to clubs, winning two more tricks as West allowed the queen and ten to hold, but West had to top the third club. These cards remained:

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

The seven of clubs fetched three red discards. Now West was out of options. He played a heart; North ruffed with the spade six, East had to follow, and South overruffed with the seven. South could lead any spade now; East would eventually win the deuce of spades.

North and South had ruffed four times to achieve a most unusual trump reduction.