The play was perfection. Bridge Column for August 19, 2001, By HARVEY BERNSTEIN Both sides vulnerable. East deals. NORTH S: J 6 H: J 10 8 6 3 D: K 3 C: J 5 4 2 WEST EAST S: 10 8 S: K 9 3 H: A 7 5 2 H: K 9 4 D: Q 10 6 D: 8 7 5 2 C: K Q 10 3 C: 9 8 7 SOUTH S: A Q 7 5 4 2 H: Q D: A J 9 4 C: A 6 The Bidding: EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH Pass 1S Pass 1NT Pass 3D Pass 3S Pass 4S Pass Pass Pass The auction was fairly standard. Some will take exception to South's three diamond bid, saying that three spades was more descriptive of South's actual values. But North would more than likely pass and there wouldn't be a story. West led the ten of spades. Declarer called for the jack from dummy, which was covered by the king. South won the ace and played the four of diamonds to the king and a diamond back to the ace. The nine of diamonds was trumped with the six of spades and Declarer took note of the fall of the queen of diamonds. A club to the ace was the quick entry back to the closed hand so that declarer could cash the queen of spades. When both opponents followed, declarer was able to claim ten tricks and the contract. What is interesting about this hand is that given the opening lead, any other line of play by declarer fails. This is another example of the need to plan ahead, work out the distribution that must exist for your contract to succeed, and then play for that distribution. _______________________________________________ Bernstein is a free-lance writer in Solon.