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

Most players know it is wrong to attack a nil with high cards. But do they know it can be wrong to attack with low cards?

East led the three of diamonds. South won the ace and, perhaps unwisely, cashed the king. (This play would be sound if South had long spades.) On South's two diamonds, everyone played high. Next came two high hearts, West ruffing the second.

Hoping for an endgame, West drew trumps, leading to partner's ace and winning the return. A third trump was played; on the last two spade leads, North threw the jack and ten of clubs. These cards remained, with West on lead: (see second diagram)

West had the position he had hoped for. He played the deuce of diamonds, North played the four, and East... covered with the five!

North -- 5 3 7 4 5 2 West 5 -- 6 2 Q 7 6 East 3 Q 7 2 5 A South -- 6 -- K 9 5 4 3

We see now the folly of the opening lead. Had East instead started play with the five of diamonds rather than the three, North would be set on this trick. The opening leader ought to find a middle card that leaves him with one lower card, preferably two lower.

To finish up this deal, we watched East win the diamond and return the deuce of hearts. The nil waltzed home. Sigh! Some folks never learn; the lead of the seven of hearts, followed by the deuce, is the winning play.