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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 18, 2008

South's spades are "equals," but when an expert declarer played today's game, some of them (as in "Animal Farm") were more equal than others.

South took the ace of hearts and had work to do. He had to pick up the trumps with only one loser, and if the missing clubs broke 4-2, he had to ruff his fourth club in dummy.

To give himself an extra chance to handle both the trumps and clubs, South led the seven of trumps. West naturally played low, and the seven won. South next played a low club from both hands, and East won, cashed a heart and led another heart. South ruffed and led a trump to the ace. He took the K-A of clubs, ruffed his last club and conceded one trump.

If South starts the trumps by leading the jack, West may cover. If South then leads another trump, West will win and lead a third trump, and South loses two clubs. If instead South tries to ruff a club in dummy before he draws any trumps, East can overruff.

South's spades were equals. Or, well, maybe not.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable

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