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

We had a good lead, thanks to a couple of sets, but we had acquired seven bags in doing it. East's mild underbid created a table total of 10, which made North nervous. With three available bags, he feared winning tricks with his queen and two tens. The opening lead went to East's king and my ace. I fired back the deuce of hearts, ruffed by West. I took the diamond return with the queen, and continued the king, which also held. Now I led a small trump to North's ace.

North tried the ten of spades, hoping someone would take it, but the ten walked, West showing out. Having made his two tricks, North exited with the deuce of spades. I won the jack and took my king, drawing the last trump. On this trick, to avoid bags, North threw the ace of diamonds. When I led the good nine, he threw the queen of hearts. Now the rest of the tricks were all mine, whether I wanted them or not.

"Six bags!! If you insist on setting people all the time, four bags would have been enough!"

No need to tell North how he helped. Without Partner's 'briliant' unblocking plays in the red suits, there'd be a sorry result. After I drew all the trump, North would win a red card and have to surrender three club tricks at the finish. We'd have all three bags, a 100-point penalty, and no set.