Hand XXXIX
Grand Coup (see pp. 151-155).
The Play
Remark.—B has called.
Remark.—B has three of trumps.
Remark.—A plays a masterly coup in trumping with the four. He argues that B, having a weak hand, would not call for trumps with less than five trumps, two honours. If so, B has a trump too many, and Y must make a trick in trumps, unless B can play the Grand Coup with the three of trumps (see Remark, Trick 5).
B undertrumps his partner, the Grand coup.
and AB win the odd trick.
The Hands
(A’s hand is given above.)
| Y’s Hand. | B’s Hand. | Z’s Hand. | |||
| Kg, 9, 2 | ♠ | 8, 7, 5 | ♠ | Ace, Qn, Knv, 10 | ♠ |
| Qn, Knv, 10 | ♥ | 9, 4 | ♥ | Kg, 7, 6, 5, 3, 2 | ♥ |
| 8, 4, 3 | ♣ | Kg, 9, 5 | ♣ | Ace, Qn | ♣ |
| Kg, 9, 7, 5 | ♦ | Ace, Qn, 10, 8, 3 | ♦ | Knv | ♦ |
At Trick 5 B can place all the remaining trumps; hence he undertrumps his partner at Trick 10. Though his play is very good, A’s coup in trumping with the four, so as to render B’s coup possible, is entitled to the palm. Hence, A’s hand heads the example.
At Trick 9, Z ought to lead knave of spades, on which Y should discard eight of clubs, when YZ win the game.