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

Never give up the ship! Even if you are way behind, miracles can happen, even in Spades. East-West were ready to close out the game, sitting on a very comfortable lead, 464-351. Hearing his partner make a first-seat bid of 2, East also bid 2, a mild underbid but enough to win. South surveyed his dull hand and ended the bidding with an unimaginative 4.

West quickly took his two diamond tricks and, for lack of anything better, played a third round to North's queen, South pitching a club. The ace, king, and a third heart gave South the lead. He took his ace of clubs and exited with a club to North's king. These cards remained, East-West still needing two tricks.

North J 8 6 -- 8 6 West 10 2 -- 6 Q 9 East K Q 4 3 -- -- J South A 9 7 5 Q -- --

A club was ruffed by South with the five of spades. South played his heart, the 13th card, and this time it worked to his advantage. West trumped with the ten, North overtrumped with the jack, and East won with a sneaky king. East exited with a low spade, North overtaking his partner's seven with the eight.

When North led the six of spades, East coolly played low, but South remembered the bidding and inserted the nine. The ace of spades took the last and setting trick.

East-West lost -40 points, while North-South gained +73. The score was now 424-424, a dead tie! "Dang!" exclaimed South. "I knew we needed ten tricks to stay alive. Why didn't I just bid seven?" Indeed, why not?