Hand XXVI
Counting the hands, and consequent departure from rule.
The Play
Remark (Trick 7).—This is strong illustration of a case for departing from rule. Y can count two more trumps, and three more spades in A’s hand (see A’s leads, Tricks 3 and 6, and p. 116). It is clear that A can have at most two hearts; consequently, if Y leads his tierce major in hearts, he must lose the game, as the opponents have two by honours. But, if Y can give his partner the lead, and Z has four more clubs, or the winning club, and A makes the mistake of trumping it, YZ may make every trick, and win the game.
Y would be right to play as he does even if A had led from only four spades. With a strong trump hand declared against, and a long weak suit, it is doubtful whether A should not have led the deuce of spades at Trick 3 (see Appendix A); but the hand is given as it was played.
Tricks 9 to 13.—Z continues to lead clubs (see his hand below), and whether A passes or trumps,
YZ score four by cards.
The Hands
(Y’s hand is given above.)
| A’s Hand. | B’s Hand. | Z’s Hand. | |||
| Knv, 9, 5, 3, 2 | ♠ | Kg, Qn, 10, 8, 7 | ♠ | Ace, 6 | ♠ |
| 8, 7 | ♥ | Knv, 6, 5 | ♥ | 9, 4, 3 | ♥ |
| Kg | ♣ | 9, 4, 3 | ♣ | A, Qn, Knv, 10, 6, 5, 2 | ♣ |
| Ace, Qn, 9, 6, 4 | ♦ | Knv, 2 | ♦ | 5 | ♦ |