Master Spades: DealM084

Taking Advantage.

North
10 8 6
A 9 4
J 2
10 9 6 5 2

West
A Q J 9 3
8 7 5
10 9 8 6 4
--

East
7 5 4
Q 6 3
A K 5 3
8 7 4

South
K 2
K J 10 2
Q 7
A K Q J 3

The bidding:

East	South	West	North
2	4	4	1

East led the

The expert studies his opponents' carding habits. He tries to take advantage of their strengths and weaknesses -- before they catch on!

East won the first two diamond tricks and switched to a club. South knew he was in trouble when West ruffed this trick; two of his count cards were going to be lost. He would have to make them up somewhere. West played the ace and queen of spades, and South was in with the king.

South knew that West, playing second, always covers an honor with an honor. This is normally sound play, but not against this particular North, who was disdainful of finessing. The setup was perfect for South. He led the jack of hearts, expecting West to cover with the queen if he had it.

West played low. North, as expected, gave no thought to letting the jack ride and won the ace. On the heart continuation East ducked, but South had him marked for the queen. South won the ten and cashed the king. One trick had been recovered, and when he led the 13th heart, a spade trick was promoted for North. North-South limped home with their bid.

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