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

West began with the two diamond tops and continued a third round that East ruffed with the queen. East tried to cash a club trick but South ruffed.

South could guarantee a set at this point just by leading a spade. Denied a club trick, East and West would be held to two diamonds and four spade tricks. But South, despite her claims of expertise, played her singleton heart.

North won two heart tricks and also could have nailed down the set with a spade lead. Unable to diagnose the situation, he continued a third heart. South ruffed and West overruffed. A fourth diamond was ruffed with the spade ace. Eventually West made two more spades, and both sides each claimed their respective bids on the nose.

You'll never get your money's worth from a long spade suit unless you lead the suit. The reluctance to lead spades is the most common shortcoming of Spades players at all levels.