| Let us look at c., which is often called "aiming for the low player" or "getting the low person." Assuming that you are not in first place, this is usually a good strategy. However, there are times when the score and content of your hand will dictate the proper approach. Suppose that you hold this hand after the pass:
 A K Q 6 4 2
 A 10
 Void
 K Q J 8 2
Here are a few scoring scenarios:
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| Here is what normally occurs, assuming best play by decent opponents.
The play of the hand proceeds: You lead the Club Deuce, and West immediately takes the Ace, fetching the 10 and 9. Now he leads the Jack of Spades. This draws the 10 and the 8, as you correctly duck with the 6. The 9 of Spades is now the pushed, and the 7 and 5 appear. You take the Ace, and cash the King of Spades in order to draw the last spot (the 3).
Two middle Hearts are sloughed by the opponents. If you lead the Ace, and then the 10 of Hearts, any player worth their salt will win the second Heart, and lead a low Club to crush you. (It will be noted that you never led Diamonds -- suggesting a Void.)
A much stronger line is to strip the Spades in three rounds (as in the text). It does not matter if a Heart is discarded. Now is the time to attack CLUBS. All of the Clubs must be removed, and the suit should break normally. (The player with the Spade 3 will be trying to unload this card). Take as many Club tricks as you need to in order to clear that suit. NOW, play the Ace and 10 of Hearts. You are out of the hand cleanly, unless the opps are foolish enough to duck the second round of Hearts. Hopefully you will able to nail the low player, as you sit and wait with your Queen of Spades.
Additional analysis (each score scenario):
(#1) You are high person, and cannot take any chances. You must follow the text line, strip the Clubs and Hearts, and wait for the low person (Bob). A "psyche" play such as leading the 10 of Hearts BEFORE the Ace (hoping that the 10 will ride) is very risky. You may get pinned with the Ace and the rest of the points.
(#2) You are low and can take some liberties. The text line is safe, and will fetch six or seven points for you. The problem is that six or seven points will drop you into second place. If Bob does not go out, the game will be up for grabs on the next hand.
Take the first round of Spades with the Ace, and remove the Clubs immediately. Hopefully, a Heart will appear. Now you can try the speculative play of the Heart 10. If the 10 rides, the "moon" is a good bet! If the 10 is grabbed and a Diamond appears, ditch your Ace of Hearts first. If forced in with the Ace of Hearts, then you must hope that the Spade 3 has not been discarded, and you will escape with the Deuce. This is a very wild line!
(#3) You are in a battle for first place. Take the first Spade high, and go after Clubs, and clear the suit. A Heart should be played; otherwise, shift to Spades after Clubs are cleared. Now, you must remove the Heart suit with dispatch -- first the Ace, then the 10. If Sue appears to have a safe hand, then aim for Diane.
"Hitting" the low player is generally a good technique. However, the score is a factor and the risk potential have to be considered. If you have the choice of discarding a dangerous card that may force you in for eight or ten points, by all means, dump that card! Remember, Hearts is an individual's contest!
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