BRIDGE

Even given the opening leads at both tables of a match and looking at the entire diagram, you'd be hardpressed to predict the final results.

Playing one notrump openings as weak, West started with one club and attracted immediate diamond preemption from North and an “I hope I can make it” reactionary three notrump from South.

Prospects were not great but improved dramatically after the low heart lead to the ten and Queen followed by the Jack of diamonds that West covered with the Queen to do the best he could to possibly shut out the use of dummy's long suit.

But that diamond King was effectively South's ninth trick as he continued with the losing club finesse but ended with one spade trick, two hearts, five clubs and that totally crucial one diamond.

To set three notrump, West needed to win the first diamond and find a spade shift, not an easy parlay to find.

At the other table, same opening bid but no diamond intervention so East chanced his arm with an understrength one spade response.

South still found a route to three notrump by bidding it immediately but the opening low spade lead was a killer – or was it?

The defenders could force out the spade ace and unblock the suit to end with at least five tricks from East's long suit plus the diamond ace and likely one more (the club Queen) for down three, yes?

NO! A funny thing happened on the way to down three: East played low on dummy's trick-one play of the spade nine and West forever after abandoned the suit. Who saw that coming? Happy New Year!