Lt. Gerard knocks into the game and sits West. He doesn't seem to
recognize you, since your plastic surgery, but you try to hide your
face from him nevertheless. Lucky for you, Gerard's passion is
bridge, and he is often distracted from his duty of capturing
convicted criminals on the run and bringing them to justice by the
purity of the game. You are dealer and must decide what to open, one
diamond, a slightly heavy one notrump, or a strategic one club?

 South Kimble
   Q 9 3
   A Q 4
   A Q 6 2
   K J 9

You decide on 1NT. You have 18 points, but the lack of a ten and the
4-3-3-3 shape are good reasons to devalue your hand. Over 2, your
rebid without a major is 2, but perhaps you should bid 2NT to
emphasize your strength. It's possible partner stretched to bid
Stayman with about 7 points, and five diamonds, and will pass your 2
bid. On the other hand, if partner has, say, a 4-4-4-1 yarborough, he
is counting on your making one of three calls, 2, 2, or 2. Should
you confuse matters with 2NT?

 South Kimble
   Q 9 3
   A Q 4
   A Q 6 2
   K J 9

Taking no chances, you bid 2NT and partner bids 3NT. I have only
seven points, partner says, when he puts down the dummy. But it
looks promising. If the diamond king is with East, you have nine easy
tricks after the club lead. Exactly how will you play it, depending
on what East plays?

 South Kimble
   Q 9 3
   A Q 4
   A Q 6 2
   K J 9

Your only concern is: What will happen if West has the king of
diamonds? Say East plays the 10 of clubs at trick one, and you win
with the jack; then you go to the king of hearts and finesse
diamonds. West will win and is likely to switch to spades, hoping to
find partner with the ace. East will then lead a club through.

Idea: Win the 10 of clubs with the king! You then lead a heart to the
king and the jack of diamonds for a finesse. West will think his
partner has the jack of clubs!

You try this. You win the first trick with the king, lead a heart to
the king, and take the diamond finesse. Lt. Gerard wins and leads the
2 of clubs to his partner's presumed jack. But you win the trick with
your 9 and cash two hearts and four diamonds for nine tricks.

Gerard shakes his head and says, There's only one person on earth
who would find this play and that's Dr. Richard Kimble. You quickly
apologize and say that you pulled the wrong card when you played the
king of clubs. Meanwhile, East comes to your rescue: My fault,
partner, I should have played the jack of hearts at trick two to
alert you that I held the ace of spades. Lt. Gerard is enamored with
this idea and deals the cards for the next hand.

THE END

 South Kimble
   Q 9 3
   A Q 4
   A Q 6 2
   K J 9

South 1NT 2NT	West pass pass	North 2 3NT	East pass all pass
Opening lead: 5

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