Bridge Column for December 6, 1992 
Dealer: North
Vulnerable: Both
                              NORTH
                              S: 8 4 2      
                              H: A Q 9 8       
                              D: Q 9 8 6    
                              C: Q 4        
            WEST                             EAST
            S: Q J 6 5                       S: N o n e
            H: 7 6 2                         H: J 5 4      
            D: 10 5 4 2                      D: A J 3             
            C: A 5                           C: J 10 9 8 7 6 3
                              SOUTH                         
                              S: A K 10 9 7 3
                              H: K 10 3   
                              D: K 7        
                              C: K 2

                 NORTH   EAST    SOUTH    WEST                    
                  Pass   Pass      1S     Pass
                   3S    Pass      4S     Pass 
                  Pass   Pass
     After two passes, South opened the bidding with one spade. 
North made a limit raise of three spades and South closed out the
auction by bidding the spade game.
     West led the two of diamonds and declarer took a moment to
evaluate his contract.  The minor suit aces would have to be
lost, but the only other possible losers would be the result of a
bad split in the trump suit.  Momentarily, all appeared well. 
Declarer called for a low diamond from dummy; East played the
jack and South won the king.
     The ace of spades was now led and East discarded the three
of clubs.  Many players would simply concede a one trick set,
chalk it up to unfriendly distribution, and go on to the next
hand.  Our declarer was made of sterner stuff.  It was time to
develop an end play.
     The seven of diamonds was led to the eight and won by the
ace.  East returned the jack of clubs which was ducked around to
the queen in dummy.  A diamond was led and ruffed by South.  A
small heart provided the entry to dummy for another diamond to be
ruffed.  South now led the king of hearts and another heart to
the queen.  The four of clubs is led from dummy and West has to
win the ace.  West's last three cards are the queen, jack, and
six of spades.  South holds the king, ten, nine. If West leads a
small spade, South wins the nine and the king of spades becomes
the tenth trick.  If West leads an honor, South can duck or win
the king.  In either case he will win two of the last three
tricks.
     It may appear that West could do better to win the ace of
clubs when that suit is first played.  Not so.  In the three card
ending South will lead the ten of spades.  If West wins, he is
end played and if he ducks, South's king becomes the fulfilling
trick. 
     But West could have done better on opening lead.  The ace of
clubs followed by the five of clubs will always defeat the
contract so long as East continues with a club whenever he gets
in with the ace of diamonds.