If not by hook, then by crook

Albert Einstein said, “Nature hides her secrets because of her essential loftiness, but not by means of ruse.” Bridge experts sometimes hide their secrets by means of ruse — as in today’s deal. It was played by Australian junior international Andy Hung (South) and was described by Ron Klinger, that country’s most prolific writer-teacherplayer. East’s two-diamond opening showed a weak major two-suiter. (This gadget is becoming increasingly popular in the tournament world.) Hung started with a takeout double, being a tad wary about his short holdings in the majors, but when West pre-empted to three hearts, Hung bid three no-trump, hoping for the best. After West led the heart king, and East encouraged with the three (upside-down signals), what did declarer do? South had eight winners: two spades, one heart, four diamonds and one club. Extra winners could have been established in clubs, but that involved losing the lead and, presumably, watching the opponents run their hearts. Was there a possibility? Hung found a play that would have occurred to almost no one. At trick two, he returned the heart 10! Yes, West, given his partner’s signal at trick one, should have played low, but he won with his queen and shifted to a spade. Declarer won with dummy’s ace, cashed the diamonds, then played the ace and another club. The heart suit was blocked, so the defenders took only one club and three hearts. If South’s ruse had not worked, he would have rued not being in five — or, here, six! — clubs.