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

Against stronger opponents you may take some risks. But if you believe you are the best, stay calm and wait for opportunity.

The current hand occurred in the final round of a college Spades tournament that featured the two strongest pairs. On lead, West took his two club tricks and shifted to the jack of hearts. North won the queen and continued the king (more informative than the ace), which East trumped. East started diamonds, winning one but losing the second to South's three of spades.

South played his two top spades and, playing East for spade length from the bidding, conceded a third round of spades to East's queen. East returned the queen of diamonds in this position:

North -- A 8 3 8 -- West -- 10 9 -- 10 3 East -- -- Q J 10 3 -- South 9 6 -- Q 6

With four tricks already collected and two more in his hand, South could easily have discarded twice to avoid an overtrick; but tournaments are not won by fretting over baggage.

Reading the position accurately, South ruffed with his last trump and suddenly West had no good discard. If he threw a heart, North's suit runs. If he pitched a club, South has two club winners. In either case, North-South did not mind two bags. They scored the set and went on to win the tournament.