BRIDGE

in second hand low will hasten to contribute his club three, and declarer will claim nine tricks: five spades, three hearts and that club.

When East played the heart two at trick one, he denied an honor in the suit. (With honor-doubleton, East would have tabled that high card to tell partner what was happening and, potentially, to unblock the suit.) So, West should immediately credit South with three heart tricks. After seeing the spade ace and king, West can give declarer five spade winners. If South also takes a club trick, he is home.

With nary a nanosecond to spare, West must win the fourth trick, cash his diamond ace (being blind to East’s three; he couldn’t afford to signal higher), and continue the suit. In this way, the defenders quickly take one club and four diamonds to defeat the contract.