Hand XXXVIII
Grand Coup (see pp. 151-155).
The Play
Remark.—The fall of the king shows that the remaining clubs are in Y’s hand.
Remark.—Well played by B. All the hearts are out; the remaining diamonds are in Z’s hand (see fall of the diamonds, Tricks, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7), and all the clubs are in Y’s hand. Y must therefore have three trumps and two spades. If B discards a spade to this trick, he cannot avoid leading trumps twice up to Y. In that case Y will make two tricks in trumps, saving the game, as will be apparent by so playing the cards. The result is otherwise if B trumps his partner’s best heart. He can then lead out ace and king of spades, to which Y must follow suit; and by continuing with the five of clubs (the nine, eight, and three are in against him), B secures the tenace, and wins the game.
Tricks 9 to 13.—B (Tricks 9 and 10) leads spades, and (Trick 11) the six of clubs. B makes the last two tricks, and
AB score three by cards and two by honours.
The Hands
(B’s hand is given above.)
| A’s Hand. | Y’s Hand. | Z’s Hand. | |||
| 9, 5, 4, 3, 2 | ♠ | Qn, 6 | ♠ | Knv, 10, 8, 7 | ♠ |
| Ace, Kg, Qn, 10, 2 | ♥ | Knv, 9, 8, 5, 3 | ♥ | 7, 4 | ♥ |
| Kg | ♣ | 9, 8, 3, 2 | ♣ | Ace, 10 | ♣ |
| 10, 6 | ♦ | Ace, 9 | ♦ | Qn, Knv, 8, 7, 2 | ♦ |
At Trick 4, Z leads his lowest diamond, though holding five, because strength in trumps is declared against. (See Appendix A).