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

It is a good idea to win your bid-fulfilling trick by cashing the ace of spades. This alerts Partner to retire from play, leaving the bags to the opponents. It is such a good idea, in fact, that you might be tempted to play the ace one trick too soon!

North opened play with the three of hearts, taken by South. With such fine, healthy spades, South saw no urgency to run hearts. Instead, he played the king of clubs, mildly surprised when it held. Then he switched back to hearts.

West ruffed with the jack of spades. Ever conscious of bags, he laid down the ace of spades, in effect saying, "Pard, I'm finished. Take your one trick whenever you want to, and that'll be all for us." Yes, that was all. No more tricks were available for East and West.

West made the common mistake of giving bags too high a priority. Making your bid comes first. If he holds on to the ace of spades, his side must come to one additional trump trick.