An incredible defense.
Bridge Column for December 30, 2006, Harvey Bernstein
Special To The Plain Dealer
Both sides vulnerable.  West deals.
                              NORTH
                              S: Q 9 3 2  
                              H: 9 4 2     
                              D: 7 3 2       
                              C: A K J  
            WEST                             EAST
            S: A K J 10 8 7 5                S: 4            
            H: J 6 5                         H: A 10       
            D: J 10 4                        D: A 8               
            C: Void                          C: Q 10 9 8 5 4 3 2
                              SOUTH                         
                              S: 6          
                              H: K Q 8 7 3 
                              D: K Q 9 6 5
                              C: 7 6      

                   WEST    NORTH    EAST    SOUTH                 
                    3S     Pass     Pass     3NT
                   Pass    Pass     Dbl      Pass
                   Pass    Pass
            Opening Lead: AS
     This hand was originally reported by Knut Kjaernsrod of
Norway.  It was played in a club tournament in Bydgosczc, Poland. 
It appeared in this column in 1993 and it remains one of my
favorite hands of all time.  I think that it is a great way to
wrap up 2006 and get ready for the new year.  
     South's three no trump bid was a take-out of sorts which
North converted to the final contract by passing.  East's double
gave North another chance to move the contract.  He elected to
let partner try for nine tricks rather than guess which three
card suit to bid.
     West led the ace of spades, followed by the king.  East and
South followed to the ace.  On the king, East discarded a club
and South, a diamond.  West continued with the jack of spades,
won in dummy with the queen.  East pitched another club and
South, another diamond.
     The two of hearts was led from dummy.  East played the ten
and West, the five, South's queen winning.  A small club to the
ace revealed the club distribution.  The four of hearts was won
by East's ace.  East now cashed the ace of diamonds and continued
with a diamond.  South was now able to take the rest of the
tricks.  The defense was limited to two spades and the two red
aces.
     That wasn't very exciting.  But that was not really the way
the play went either.  In fact, you are probably wondering what
could possibly be so wonderful about this hand.   
     East, having doubled, was not going to sit back and let
this contract make.  After following to the ace of spades, he
pitched the ace of hearts on the second spade!  And to make
matters worse for declarer, he pitched the ace of diamonds on the
third spade!  Now there was no way for declarer to keep West off
lead and the final result was down two, doubled.  Spectacular to
say the least.  
     The bridge term for this play is jettison.  My New Years
wish for you is that your partner finds a jettison play that
works at least once in 2007.  And even better yet, that you
realize what your partner has done.
_______________________________________________________
Bernstein is a free-lance writer in Solon. 
To reach Harvey Bernstein:
hjb0416@yahoo.com