Monday afternoon May 5, 2008

Lead: five of clubs

What a fun hand! (although I doubt if my South felt that way). Another West managed to get in a wringer and go down three doubled for -800. After winning the ace I figured I should just take my medicine and go on to the next hand, leading a low spade to my hand. I was not pleased to see North show out of spades. There would be no getting around the A-K-Q of trumps. A low club was ruffed with the three, North showing out; then a diamond ruffed. I have four spades left, South has the biggies. Another club is ruffed, and a second diamond ruffed in hand. So far I have the Ace of clubs, two ruffs and a spade in my hand, to go along with the two ruffs on the board; six tricks. I lead the king of clubs (7) which fells the queen, then continue with the jack of clubs, which South allows to win (8). When I lead the ten of clubs, South realizes she is in a pickle. She trumps with the queen, then draws two more rounds of trump; leaving me with the six of spades, the ace of hearts and the seven of clubs--all good! Four spades was doubled three of the five times it was played, going down twice because West decided to force out the trumps, then lost control of the hand.