You are playing 15-17 notrumps and five-card majors.
The kibitzer is a beautiful spy, but you're not sure for
which side. What is your opening bid?

 South Bond
   A K Q 2
   A 9 8 6
   10 2
   K 4 3

Opening 1 is certainly an alternative to 1NT with those
two four-card majors. The only problem with 1 is that you
risk confusion if the auction gets competitive, and you may
never be able to describe a 15-17 point range again (e.g.,
if LHO jumps to 2, and partner passes, your balancing bid
of 2NT would describe 18-19 points). You might bid 1 if
you had the time, but the spy behind you is dangerous. So
you start with 1NT and get raised to three. Good!

West leads the jack of spades. Which card do you plan to
win the trick with and how will you proceed?

 South Bond
   A K Q 2
   A 9 8 6
   10 2
   K 4 3

Think (fast) about the whole hand before playing to trick
one. To make 3NT, you'll probably need West to hold king
doubleton or tripleton in diamonds. So at trick two you'll
lead a diamond, perhaps the 10, and let it ride. Unless
West has the king and jack of diamonds, East is going to
win the first diamond trick and you are at risk if a club is
led through. You'd like to convince East to return a spade.
To do this, you should make it look like West has led from
A-J-10, and win the first trick with the king or queen. If you
win with the queen, you might still have the ace, so it's
better to win with the king.

At trick two you lead the 10 of diamonds. No luck, as East
wins with the jack. Worse, East returns the queen of clubs!
Will you cover or not?

 South Bond
   A K Q 2
   A 9 8 6
   10 2
   K 4 3

You duck. Maybe West has the doubleton ace of clubs, so
why cover now? East next leads the jack of clubs, and you
must decide again. To cover or not? You feel hot breath
down your neck....

 South Bond
   A Q 2
   A 9 8 6
   2
   K 4 3

You cover. If the suit is 4-4, you must cover and hope
the ace is with East. If East holds five clubs, you can win
by ducking if West holds ace-third. But isn't the ace more
likely to be with the five-card suit than the three? If East
has six clubs, it's a lock to cover, so you play the king
with confidence (remember, someone's watching). It wins!
You now lead a diamond to the queen. This wins too! One
problem. East shows out, throwing a club. What do you do now?

 South Bond
   A Q 2
   A 9 8 6
   2
   K 4

You must hope West is out of clubs. You cash the ace of
diamonds and lead another diamond, setting up the suit.
West wins and returns a spade, as East follows. You win
the trick and lead a low heart. When West plays the king,
you spread your cards, turn and kiss the kibitzer.

 South Bond
   A Q 2
   A 9 8 6
   —
   4

THE END.

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 South Bond
   A K Q 2
   A 9 8 6
   10 2
   K 4 3

South 1NT	West pass	North 3NT	East pass
Opening lead: J

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