This conundrum was written by Paul Thurston and was originally published in Bridge at the Breakfast Table - you can find out all about the book further down the page.

Opening lead: ♥K

One of the many compelling reasons for aggressively pursuing doubtful game contracts is the difficulty the defenders often face to “get it right” — even at the very highest levels of competition.

Look at today’s layout from the 2000 Olympiad when Iceland faced China. Both East players opened a weakish notrump (promising 13–15 points) and both South players let their eight-sure winners entice them into a launch to the four-level.

Even though dummy produced some respectable assets, the optimistic game contracts seemed slated for down one — two hearts, one diamond and one club to lose, right?

Wrong! The Icelandic defender decided a club lead was in order and his ten was covered by the jack and taken by East’s ace to nicely (and quickly!) set up the king as the defense’s tenth trick.

The Chinese West got off to a much better start when he selected the ♥K for his opening lead. However, the signaling methods East–West had in place soon proved inadequate to the task as West continued with the queen and a third heart. This, of course, allowed declarer to ruff, draw trumps and play his club to the jack to once again establish North’s king as the tenth winner.

Since West wanted the partnership to cash as many hearts as possible before making any potential shift, it was incumbent on him to tell his partner how many hearts he held. The traditionally accepted way to do this: West should play his original fourth-best heart at the second trick. East would see there are no more hearts to cash (after winning the ace) and shift to the ♦K for down one.

Alternatively, at Trick 1, East could show (via a count signal) how many hearts he has and West could direct matters from that point.

About the Book

Many Canadians do indeed get their daily dose of bridge ‘at the breakfast table’ — by reading Paul thurston’s daily column in the National Post, one of only two newspapers in circulation throughout the whole of Canada. This book is a collection of some of his best and most interesting articles — tips, oddities, and just plain interesting deals and stories.