| The game was very close (deal # 9), with a spread of fifteen points from top to bottom. The pass to the left had been completed. South (in first place) was dealt a miserable hand (three weak suits), and eagerly unloaded the King of Spades, Ten of Hearts, and King of Diamonds to West. Perhaps ditching the Heart suit would have been better. However, the East player always passed a Heart every hand in order to protect against "Moons." South received (from East), the Spade Ace and Queen, as well as the King of Hearts. This hand had "22 points" stamped all over it, and offered little relief. The Club suit was an optical illusion, for any attempt to strip Clubs (Ace followed by the Five) would be met with a Spade return by the player who grabbed the second Club lead. Another plan was to lead the Spade Ace on the second trick, (hoping to draw the King), followed by the removal of all Spades, and then the lead of the low Club. That was another "dog that could not hunt," as the red suits were very weak. The opponents were not about to accommodate the player who was in first place and held the Spade Queen! The lack of low cards was a serious concern to South, and it was time to try a desperation maneuver.
West did not know that South held the Spade Queen, but South did know that West held the Spade King. Hopefully, West had a few Spades with his King. South grabbed the first trick with the Ace of Clubs, and without hesitation, led the Jack of Spades. West paused for thought, and decided to take no chances with his King. After all, he held three other Spades. Thus, he played his Three. North and East played their highest spots. The Ten of Spades followed, as West played his Six, and the other two players dropped their remaining Spades. Now the Spade Nine was played, as West played low and bared his King. He also expected to see the smoked out Spade Queen appear. Instead, the Eight and Nine of Diamonds appeared, as West winced. The trap had been sprung, and the Queen of Spades "speared" West's now-dry King.
The rest of the hand was anticlimactic. East was forced to win a trick with the Heart Ace, and South was very fortunate to clear the Diamonds, and the Five of Clubs. All he took was four points with the King of Hearts, as he dumped his Heart Eight on the third round of Clubs. East commented with great amusement on South's foxy caper, and North chortled. West muttered something about "sunny" and "the beach."
Hot tip: After the pass, if you have an overloaded or long Spade suit including the Queen, and you are missing the Ace or King (of Spades), try underleading your Spade Queen. The opponents will think that you do not hold the lady, and might hold up the Ace or King. Keep track of the Spade count. You could get lucky! | |
