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

I sometimes have difficulty teaching novices to finesse. They fear the consequences of losing the trick. But such lost tricks usually come back.

North was prepared to bid three in fourth position, but by the time the bidding came around to him it was already at 11, since the other players bid their cards to the hilt. North wisely dropped down a unit.

South finessed in clubs at Trick One losing to the king. A club return was ruffed by East who returned the ten of diamonds. This time West's finesse was successful, the queen winning. A third round of clubs was ruffed, dropping South's ace, and the next diamond lead caught South's king under the ace. South had lost four of his five honor cards without taking a trick.

West led a fourth round of clubs. East ruffed for the third time, and South, trusting his partner to hold the ace of hearts and king of spades for his bid, calmly discarded a heart. East-West had won the first six tricks but they were completely spent. North won the diamond switch, and two rounds of spades later North-South had all the remaining tricks.

Have faith in the gods of Spades (and also your partner); tricks lost to a finesse will find a way back to you.