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

Many Spades players have the habit of dropping middle cards early to avoid bags at the finish. After all, what could possibly go wrong?

On East's two top clubs, West rid himself of the ten and nine of clubs as though they were evil spirits. On the third club, North trumped the queen, making South's seven the master club. North exited with a diamond. West took two diamonds and led a third round, which South trumped.

Now South correctly led a low spade, finding North with the king. Winning the spade return, South decided to cash out. He took the rest of the spades, leaving this ending: (See second diagram)

North -- A J 9 -- West -- K Q 10 -- East -- 10 7 6 -- -- South -- 9 5 -- 7

The early club plays came back to haunt West. When South played the seven of clubs, West had no good discard. Whichever suit he discarded, North would discard from the other. North took the last two tricks leaving East-West one trick short. West paid the price for his bad habit.

South played well, but not to be overlooked is North's contribution. Many players holding North's cards would have jettisoned their high cards on South's run of winners.