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Your support makes all the difference.AFTER SOUTH commented on his opponents' antiquated methods, West had a double revenge: he defeated South's contract, then explained how it could have been made.
West opened One Heart, North passed, East responded Four Diamonds. "Splinter, I suppose? Agreeing hearts?" asked South. "No, natural and pre-emptive" was West's reply. "How nostalgic! Like black-and-white TV!" quipped South, joining in with Four Spades. All passed and, scowling slightly, West cashed his singleton #A before switching to a heart.
Declarer won, drew trumps in two rounds, cashed his other top heart, and led a low club. The bidding had marked West with 2A and declarer planned to continue clubs after West had followed low. You can see that if West had played 28 on the first round, on the next club lead declarer would cover if East tried his jack and would play low if East followed with his nine. Either way, after the defenders had taken two clubs, West would be on lead.
The first part of West's revenge came when he made the far-sighted play of 210 on the first club lead. Now, whatever South tried, East was bound to gain the lead with a club and cash #K.
"You could have made it, of course," observed West. "Cash your other top heart at trick 3, draw one round of trumps with the ace, and put me in with 4Q. Now, whatever I do, you can establish the clubs for a diamond discard, losing only one trick in the suit, without letting East in. And should I try the old- fashioned play of dropping 4Q under your ace, you can play dummy's five on the first round and let my 44 win the next!"
Love all; dealer West
North
4J 10 8 5 3
!Q J
#9 3
2Q 7 4 2
West East
4Q 4 4none
!10 9 8 7 5 4 3 !6 2
#A #KJ876542 2A 10 8 2J 9 3
South
4A K 9 7 6 2
!A K
#Q 10
2K 6 5
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