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

All Spades players believe they are above average. You can soon spot the typical players by their dull, mechanical style of play.

South's aggressive call is not to be recommended, but he had already sized up his opponents. The first trick went to East's club ace and a second club was taken by North. Hoping his partner was void, North lead a third club, but East ruffed while West discarded the ten of diamonds. East now shifted to the ten of hearts. South coolly played low, and West won his queen.

West took the ace-king of spades, noting the fall of the queen and jack. Suspecting that South had the ace of hearts, West tried to pass the lead to South. He played the ace of diamonds and exited with the jack to South's king. South calmly exited with his third diamond; West ruffed and with a look of resignation, tried the heart nine. South now had two heart tricks to make his bid.

West lost his way on several occasions. He forgot he had a partner. He could have tried ducking the third diamond and hoping partner had the queen. But the simplest way is a third round of spades to East. A heart return (or even a diamond) spells finis for South.