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

Earlier, I had asked you to keep track of the 'count' cards. Did you really do it, or were you just humoring me?

East began with the ace, king, and queen of clubs, South ruffing the third lead. The queen of diamonds went to the ace, and West shifted to the queen of hearts. When North did not cover as he would if he had the king, East decided to take the ace. The heart continuation went to South's king, and the diamond switch was won by North.

Am I going too fast for you? Let's take a look at the remaining cards after seven tricks have been played, three tricks to Us, four for Them. North has the lead. (See second diagram.)

Notice that all six side-suit aces and kings have been played, three from East. For his four-bid, East is marked with a spade honor. There is nothing to be done if it is the ace, but it might be just the queen.

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

North and South both worked this out. North was able to lay down the king of spades without risk. He collected three small cards, and he played the suit again. When East played low, South inserted the jack of spades. The ace picked up West's queen, and now North-South had their set.

East was not a player who keeps track of count cards. He considered South's spade finesse as nothing more than a lucky guess. I hope my readers know better.