TRICK 1.--The jack of clubs must be played to the first trick, for
otherwise the club suit would be blocked, and it is useless to lead
through A’s hand. B’s best discard is a spade. As A’s lead indicates
a four-card suit, B can count Z with six clubs.
TRICK 2.--A cannot afford to win this trick, for if Z has an entry
card the clubs will be made. B should not shorten his diamonds or
hearts as Y has four cards of each. He cannot lose by discarding an
honour in spades. The queen gives A information, and if necessary
enables B to unblock.
TRICK 4.--A’s lead may be from four spades; B must keep the low spade.
TRICK 6.--B can now count all the cards in both A’s and Z’s hands. A
has shown four spades, four clubs, and is marked with the queen of
diamonds alone; he must, therefore, have three hearts. Z has three
remaining clubs, two diamonds, one spade, and two hearts. B unblocks
the spade suit.
TRICK 8.--A can now count both B’s and Z’s hands; B must have four
hearts and the ace of diamonds alone; Z has the remaining clubs, a
diamond and two hearts.
TRICK 9.--It is immaterial what Z now discards; if he discards a
diamond, A leads the heart; if he discards a heart, A leads the ace
of clubs, and forces Z to lead a diamond to B.
“COUNTING”
It is the rubber game, score eight to nothing against the dealer.
Z passes the make. Y declares “no-trump.”
♠ A K
♣ K J 5 No. 38
♦ K 7 5 3
♥ K 7 5 2
x------------x
♠ 7 5 3 2 | Y | ♠ Q J 10 6 4
♣ A Q 3 2 | | ♣ ----
♦ Q J | A B | ♦ A 10 9 8
♥ J 6 4 | | ♥ Q 10 9 8
| Z |
+------------+
♠ 9 8
♣ 10 9 8 7 6 4
♦ 6 4 2
♥ A 3
+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| TRICK | A | Y | B | Z |
+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| 1 | 2♣ | [J♣] | 4♠ | 4♣ |
| 2 | 3♣ | [K♣] | Q♠ | 6♣ |
| 3 | [Q♣] | 5♣ | 8♦ | 7♣ |
| 4 | 2♠ | [K♠] | 10♠ | 8♠ |
| 5 | [J♦] | 3♦ | 9♦ | 2♦ |
| 6 | 3♠ | [A♠] | J♠ | 9♠ |
| 7 | [Q♦] | 5♦ | 10♦ | 4♦ |
| 8 | [7♠] | 2♥ | 6♠ | 8♣ |
| 9 | [5♠] | 5♥ | 8♥ | 6♦ |
| 10 | 4♥ | 7♥ | Q♥ | [A♥] |
| 11 | 6♥ | [K♥] | 9♥ | 3♥ |
| 12 | A♣ | 7♦ | [A♦] | 9♣ |
| 13 | [J♥] | K♦ | 10♥ | 10♣ |
+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
The dealer loses the odd trick.