,

hristopher 0orley, who was an essayist, Mournalist, novelist and poet, wrote, he real purpose of books is to trap the ind into doinJ its own thinkinJ.

Is it also true that the real purpose of bridJe colu ns is to trap a player s ind into doinJ its own analysis

oday s deal is uch easier when presented on paper because the reader knows that there is an unusual play to be found.

ook at the 1orth and ast hands. Jainst three no-tru p, West leads a fourth-hiJhest spade two. ow should ast anticipate the defense proceedinJ

In the auction, 1orth used tay an to try to uncover a 4-4 heart fit. When he failed, he hoped spades would not prove to be a fatal weakness in three no-tru p.

When the deal was oriJinally played, West led his fourth-hiJhest spade, and ast auto atically followed the third hand hiJh dictu , puttinJ up his . 1o need to strain the brain at that point

outh took the trick and played a heart. ast won with his ace and returned the spade five (his oriJinal fourth-hiJhest , but after West collected three tricks in the suit, outh clai ed the re ainder. ast s spade eiJht rotted on the vine.

ast should have paused before playinJ to the first trick. If he had, he probably would have seen the necessity to retain his spade . outh was arked with two spades -- but which two urely not the ace and nine, because West would have led the kinJ fro .- --- . In all other possibilities, ast had to play low.