When I watched today's deal at the club, South was a good player, and North was Grapefruit, one of those bad things that happen to good players: He owns and operates a sour disposition.
Against four hearts, West led the queen of spades and continued spades. South ruffed the third spade, drew trumps and tried a diamond finesse with his jack. West won and cashed the ace of clubs, and Grapefruit told South that he was several peas short of a casserole.
"The queen of diamonds was guarded," South protested. "I was helpless."
"If idiots could fly," Grapefruit muttered, "this place would be an airport."
Since East had passed West's opening bid but had shown the ace of spades, South's diamond finesse couldn't win. South has a chance if he runs all his trumps. If West's last four cards are the ace of clubs and the Q-10-7 of diamonds, South can lead a club to end-play him.
West's best chance is to throw two diamonds and the queen of clubs. Then South may go wrong.
Bridge by Frank Stewart