Counting the Side Suits

E/W Gerard-andersl N/S tiger-botzum

None Vul	A Q 9 3 Q 10 4 J 3 Q 8 7 2
5 8 7 2 10 9 8 7 5 K J 5 4		K 8 7 9 5 3 A K Q 6 2 A 6
Lead: K	J 10 6 4 2 A K J 6 4 10 9 3

East 1 Pass Pass Pass

South Dbl Pass 3

West Pass 3 Pass

North 2 Pass Pass

Today's auction has some notable features, not least Gerard's unwillingness, after opening a precision 1c, to support his partner's free bid of 3d with AKQxx. But today's hand features the play. An ordinary expert would defeat this part score. But there are ordinary experts, and there is Gerard. He gets the defense off to a good start by leading the club ace; unless they lead clubs early declarer can hold his club losers down to 2 and make. West encourages with the 5, wins the 2nd round and leads a low club for Gee to ruff. Now it's time to analyze the hand. Three tricks in, two certain defensive tricks coming, playing IMPs, what to do? Gee elects to underlead the AKQ of diamonds! Tiger wins the DJ in hand, managing not to laugh, plays ace and another trump immediately, and claims. Gee tells his partner that "too bad my cute play didn't work." His partner stoically refrains from comment.